Mohammed Dahlan

Hamas and Dahlan’s factions seek alliance that could reshape Palestinian elections and weaken Abbas

A Palestinian figure who attended the Cairo anti-Abbas coalition meeting confirmed that no final decision has been made but added that the aim is clear.

PALESTINIAN AUTHORITY President Mahmoud Abbas gestures during the 8th General Conference of Fatah in Ramallah in May 2026.
Palestinians protest in support of senior Fatah leader Marwan Barghouti in the West Bank city of Nablus, August 20, 2025

Hamas support plunges among Palestinians as Barghouti emerges as top Abbas successor - poll

Palestinian senior Fatah official Mohammed Dahlan gestures during an interview at his office in Abu Dhabi on September 16, 2015.

Hamas in talks with former Fatah rival Mohammed Dahlan ahead of Palestinian elections

PALESTINIAN AUTHORITY President Mahmoud Abbas of Fatah (L) and Hamas politburo member Khalil al-Hayya.

Mahmoud Abbas's election promise won't bring democracy to Palestinians - opinion


Exiled Gaza security chief Dahlan met with multiple Shin Bet officials in recent years - report

Dahlan, who has been exiled in Abu Dhabi since 2011, has still been described by one source to KAN News as "the most powerful man in the Gaza Strip" because of his fundraising.

 MOHAMMED DAHLAN sits in his office in Abu Dhabi, in 2016. Today, his international influence extends far and wide, the writer explains.

Who is Mohammad Dahlan, exiled security chief the Shin Bet chief allegedly met with? - explainer

Dahlan is a former senior Fatah leader who rose to prominence in Palestinian politics as the first head of the Preventive Security Service.

 Mohammed Dahlan, a former Fatah security chief, in his office in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. STRINGER/ REUTERS ID: 546201 Image Remarks:

Shin Bet chief David Zini met PA’s exiled Gaza security chief during wartime UAE visit - report

According to KAN, the official was Mohammed Dahlan, who has been exiled in Abu Dhabi since 2011 after Mahmoud Abbas claimed that he had murdered Yasser Arafat.

Shin Bet director David Zini participates in the state memorial ceremony for the October 7 massacre on Mount Herzl, in Jerusalem, October 16, 2025

Could Mohammed Dahlan be Gaza's next governor? - opinion

Dahlan's name has been bandied about in recent years for a much more important role: a possible successor to Palestinian Authority president, Mahmoud Abbas.

 Palestinian Authority head Mahmoud Abbas is flanked by then-security adviser Mohammed Dahlan (right) and then-prime minister Ismail Haniyeh, at a meeting in Gaza, in April 2007.

Gaza should be made an Abraham Accords protectorate led by Mohammed Dahlan - opinion

A successful, peaceful, and vibrant Gaza, in the image of the UAE, Bahrain, and Israel itself, would be the model not only for a better Middle East but also for the wider world.

 Mohammed Dahlan, then-PA internal security minister, meeting prime minister Ariel Sharon in Jerusalem on May 29, 2003.

Mohammed Dahlan, Gaza's leader in waiting? - opinion

As an eventual ceasefire deal in Gaza draws closer, the media speculate whether Mohammed Dahlan’s moment is about to arrive.

 MOHAMMED DAHLAN sits in his office in Abu Dhabi, in 2016. Today, his international influence extends far and wide, the writer explains.

'The logical choice': 17 years after he fled, could Dahlan lead a post-Hamas Gaza?

“He has bridges with everyone but not necessarily liked by everyone. But I can’t think of anyone else who has his credentials.” 

 Mohammed Dahlan, a former Fatah security chief, in his office in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. STRINGER/ REUTERS ID: 546201 Image Remarks:

Rumors about Abbas’s health resurface amid talk of PA succession battle

Similar rumors concerning Abbas’s health condition have circulated in the past, prompting senior officials to hold deposed Fatah leader Mohammed Dahlan responsible.

 Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas waves to people as he bids farewell to Al Jazeera journalist Shireen Abu Akleh, who was killed during a live fire exchange in Jenin, in Ramallah in the West Bank May 12, 2022.

The Democratic election in Gaza that no one noticed - opinion

Full, free democratic elections are not possible in the Hamas-controlled Gaza strip, but an election carried out among the 100,000 Democratic Reform Bloc members is possible.

 MOHAMMED DAHLAN speaks in his office in Abu Dhabi.

Moscow visit could pave way for Abbas-Dahlan reconciliation

Earlier this year, Dahlan led another delegation from his group to Moscow, where they met with Bogdanov. The delegation discussed preparations for holding the Palestinian parliamentary elections.

A MAN holds a poster of former Gaza Fatah leader Mohammed Dahlan during a protest against PA President Mahmoud Abbas in Gaza City in 2014.