Preliminary results of the first local elections in part of the Gaza Strip after 20 years and in the West Bank
Supporters of Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas won the majority of seats in local elections in Palestinian municipalities, officials said, after a vote that for the first time in nearly two decades included the city of Deir al-Balah in the Gaza Strip, which is under the control of the Palestinian militant group Hamas.
TL;DR
- Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas's supporters won most seats in local elections.
- The elections included Deir al-Balah in the Gaza Strip for the first time in nearly 20 years.
- The Palestinian Authority aimed to show Gaza is an inseparable part of a future Palestinian state.
- Turnout was low in Gaza (23%) and high in the West Bank (56%).
- Hamas boycotted the West Bank elections and did not officially field candidates in Gaza.
- Fatah-backed candidates won six out of 15 seats in Gaza, with other local groups taking the rest.
- Candidates close to Abbas won convincingly in the West Bank, often unopposed.
- Voters likely supported Fatah-linked candidates for greater international support and gradual political change.
- This was the first election in Gaza since 2006 and the first Palestinian election since the war began.
- Election equipment delivery to Gaza faced challenges due to Israeli security restrictions but was overcome.