Palestinians Vote in Local Elections Across West Bank and Gaza's Deir al-Balah

Palestinian Territories — Ekhbary News Agency

Palestinians cast their ballots in local elections on Saturday across the occupied West Bank and in Deir al-Balah in central Gaza, marking the first poll of its kind in the Gaza Strip since 2006. The elections proceeded amidst a complex political landscape, with Hamas, which operates in Gaza, barred from participating due to a requirement that candidates recognize the authority of the Palestinian Liberation Organization (PLO).

Electoral Dynamics and Factional Divisions

The PLO, dominated by President Mahmoud Abbas's Fatah faction, governs parts of the occupied West Bank. Fatah was forcibly removed from Gaza by Hamas following the 2006 elections, which Hamas won, leading to a prolonged power struggle. More than a million eligible voters were registered across the Palestinian territories, including 70,000 in Deir al-Balah, where 12 polling stations operated. While Hamas was not officially on the ballot in Deir al-Balah, some candidate slates were reportedly aligned with the group. The central city was chosen for the Gaza elections as it sustained less damage during the recent Israel-Hamas conflict.

Political Context and Public Sentiment

These elections underscore the persistent lack of unity between the main Palestinian factions. Hamas's popularity has reportedly declined in Gaza due to the war, which some residents attribute partly to the group's October 7, 2023, attack on southern Israel. Conversely, Hamas's support has surged in the West Bank amid widespread disillusionment with the Palestinian Authority, which many Palestinians view as corrupt, ineffective, and failing to improve economic conditions or end the Israeli occupation. The UN Deputy Special Co-ordinator for the Middle East Peace Process, Dr. Ramiz Alakbarov, highlighted the elections as an important opportunity for Palestinians to exercise democratic rights during a challenging period.