GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip — Palestinian factions in Gaza, including Fatah, began preparations to participate in university student elections as part of national reconciliation initiatives proposed by Hamas. The elections were said to be held in the first semester of the next academic year, but no exact date has been set. Fatah may not be able to compete in the elections with a single list in light of its internal disputes, while Hamas may also face difficulties in the elections, considering its political and financial crisis.
Hamas, Fatah and other factions agreed on creating a supreme national commission to monitor student elections as well as union elections in Gaza. However, union elections faced more obstacles that go beyond those that were resolved by mutual agreement.
