Palestinians Vote in Rare Municipal Elections Across Gaza and West Bank

Palestinians in central Gaza and the occupied West Bank began voting on Saturday in municipal elections, marking the first local polls since the start of the Israel–Hamas War.

Polling opened at 7am for around 70,000 eligible voters in Deir al-Balah, the first electoral exercise in Gaza in nearly two decades, described by officials as a limited “pilot.”
The city was selected as it is among the few areas in Gaza less damaged during the conflict, allowing voting to take place under a fragile ceasefire.

Across the occupied West Bank, nearly 1.5 million registered voters are casting ballots to elect local councils responsible for services such as water, roads and electricity.

The elections are being held under a restricted political environment, with Hamas barred and other factions boycotting over conditions requiring recognition of the Palestine Liberation Organization, which dominates the Palestinian Authority.

Most candidate lists are aligned with Fatah, led by President Mahmoud Abbas, or consist of independents, though some are seen as informally linked to Hamas.

The vote comes amid public frustration over political stagnation, governance concerns and the absence of national elections since 2006, with its broader impact expected to remain limited. (Agencies)