West Bank and Gaza hold first municipal elections since war amid restrictions
Polling stations opened at 7 a.m. across the occupied West Bank, including in Al-Bireh near Ramallah, as Palestinians cast their votes in municipal elections seen as one of the few remaining forms of civic participation.
Nearly 1.5 million people were eligible to vote, according to the Central Elections Commission. The elections will determine local councils responsible for essential services such as water, sanitation and infrastructure.
However, the vote is taking place under Israeli occupation and widespread movement restrictions, limiting access and participation in many areas.
In the Gaza Strip, participation is significantly reduced. Only Deir el-Balah is included, with around 70,449 registered voters a sharp decline from approximately 930,000 eligible voters in 2021.
The drop reflects ongoing displacement, destruction of infrastructure and disruptions to civil registration systems. Major population centres such as Gaza City and Khan Younis are not participating.
Elsewhere in Gaza, polling has been postponed due to security concerns, electricity shortages and limited administrative capacity.
The elections carry symbolic significance following the indefinite postponement of national elections in 2021. However, many observers question their broader impact amid ongoing economic hardship and high unemployment.
Most candidate lists are affiliated with Fatah or consist of independent groups, while Hamas is not formally taking part.
In cities such as Nablus, some races are uncontested due to single candidate lists, highlighting growing political fatigue among voters.
Polling is expected to close at 7 p.m. in the West Bank, with earlier closures in parts of Gaza due to ongoing power shortages.
