Palestinians in Gaza took part in municipal elections for the first time in two decades, as voting also took place across parts of the West Bank.
The elections were organised by the Palestinian Authority (Palestinian Authority) and covered municipal and village councils. Voting had not been held in Gaza since Hamas took control of the territory over 20 years ago.
Only limited areas in Gaza were able to vote, including Deir al-Balah in central Gaza. Much of the territory remains heavily damaged after years of conflict following the October 2023 escalation.
Restricted vote and political conditions
Around 70,000 people were eligible to vote in Deir al-Balah, representing a small share of Gaza’s population. Many polling locations and basic election materials were unavailable due to widespread destruction.
Candidates were required to accept conditions set by the Palestinian Liberation Organization (Palestine Liberation Organization), including recognition of Israel and support for a two-state solution.
The elections did not include participation from Hamas (Hamas), which has governed Gaza since 2006 after a violent split with Fatah.
The Fatah movement dominated most of the ballots in the West Bank and Gaza councils where voting took place. A total of dozens of municipal and village councils were included in the process.
Some residents described the vote as an important step toward political participation, despite the limited scope and ongoing divisions between Palestinian factions.
Hamas welcomed the elections but also said it hoped for broader voting across the territory in the future.
