Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas has ordered renewed dialogue with the Hamas movement, a development disclosed by Azzam al-Ahmed, a member of the executive committee of the Palestine Liberation Organization. The report comes from a televised interview on Al Arabiya.
Al-Ahmed stated that the PLO, guided by Abbas, has been receiving signals from Hamas indicating readiness to engage in talks.
“President Mahmoud Abbas asked me to reach out to Hamas,” al-Ahmed said. “A meeting with Hamas leaders is expected this evening.”
He added that PLO representatives are prepared for an urgent meeting with Hamas leaders in Cairo, underscoring a willingness to move quickly on discussions.
Al-Ahmed emphasized that there are no preconditions for contact with Hamas and that the goal is to unify Palestinian factions and seize any opening to do so, a point he described as essential for advancing national cohesion.
He noted that Hamas appears to endorse a two-state framework based on the borders that were discussed previously in the six-day war period, while also remarking that the Oslo accords between Israel and the PLO have effectively ended, a shift he attributed to actions taken by Israel.
In a separate development, December plans were announced regarding President Mahmoud Abbas’s visit to Moscow in coordination with Russian authorities. The trip, initially scheduled for the autumn, faced postponements and was ultimately deferred, with new dates to be determined.
Earlier reports indicated that Hamas had carried out initial hostage actions, which have added complexity to the evolving interactions among Palestinian factions and regional partners.
Analysts suggest that the latest communication signals a potential recalibration of both internal Palestinian politics and the broader approach to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Observers caution that real progress will depend on practical steps, confidence-building measures, and sustained engagement from all involved parties.
The prospect of renewed talks comes amid a complex regional backdrop, where foreign actors and regional powers weigh involvement and influence. Supporters of dialogue argue that reuniting Palestinian leadership could help present a united front in negotiations, while critics warn of the challenges inherent in bridging longstanding rifts.
The statements by al-Ahmed were carried by Al Arabiya, with emphasis on the desire to pursue a pragmatic path that prioritizes Palestinian unity, regional stability, and a potential path toward a negotiated settlement that addresses core concerns such as security, borders, and the status of refugees.