Palestinian Islamic Jihad officials said they had formed an electoral alliance with UAE-backed former Gaza security chief Mohammed Dahlan and Hamas, marking a rare tripartite alliance that would link the two militant groups with a U.S.- and Israeli-friendly former Fatah official, AP reported on Sept. 30. The three reportedly will coordinate on a joint list of candidates to field in the Nov. 28 Palestinian Authority elections in an attempt to take advantage of the unpopularity of Palestinian President Mohammed Abbas and Fatah, which have controlled the Palestinian Authority since it was established.