By Nidal al-Mughrabi and Ali Sawafta CAIRO/RAMALLAH, April 25 (Reuters) - Palestinians were voting in local elections on Saturday that include Gaza for the first time in two decades and will gauge the
Palestinian local elections give some Gazans first chance to vote in years
Overview of Recent Palestinian Local Elections
By Nidal al-Mughrabi and Ali Sawafta
CAIRO/RAMALLAH, April 25 (Reuters) - Palestinians voted in local elections on Saturday that for the first time in two decades include Gaza and are a gauge of the political mood as Israel's government seeks to destroy any future for a Palestinian state.
The West Bank-based Palestinian Authority has said it hopes the inclusion of the Gazan city of Deir al-Balah will reinforce its claim to authority over the territory from which it was ousted by Hamas in 2007.
Voter Sentiment and Turnout
Some Gazans, who are struggling to meet their basic needs in the devastated enclave, welcomed the opportunity to vote.
"As a Palestinian and a son of the Gaza Strip, I feel proud that after this war the democratic process is returning," said voter Mamdouh al-Bhaisi, 52, at the Deir al-Balah polling station.
Turnout, however, was low, at 22.7% in Deir al-Balah and 53.44% in the West Bank, according to official figures. Counting began immediately, and results are expected later on Saturday or Sunday, they said.
Analysis of Low Turnout
Hani Al-Masri, a political analyst in the West Bank, said the low turnout in Gaza showed the ongoing humanitarian crisis meant voting was not a priority and that people were focused on survival rather than political processes.
In the West Bank, the turnout also reflected the impact of a boycott by some factions, Masri said.
Political Implications and Statements
Casting his ballot in a polling station in the Al-Bireh area, near Ramallah, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas said that eventually elections would be held across the Gaza Strip when conditions allow.
"Gaza is an inseparable part of the state of Palestine. Therefore, we have worked by all means to ensure that elections take place in Deir al-Balah to affirm the unity of the two parts of the country together," he said.
Israel's Role and International Response
Israeli Control and International Mediation
ISRAEL HAS EXTENDED CONTROL OVER GAZA AND WEST BANK
Since a U.S.-brokered ceasefire in Gaza between Hamas and Israel took effect in October, intermittent talks led by the United States have made little progress towards a settlement that envisages international supervision of Gaza.
European and Arab governments broadly support an eventual return of Palestinian Authority governance in Gaza, together with the establishment of an independent Palestinian state. It would comprise Gaza, East Jerusalem and the West Bank, where the Palestinian Authority exercises limited self-rule under Israeli occupation.
Potential for National Elections
Western diplomats have said the local elections could be a step towards the first national elections in nearly two decades and advance reforms to increase transparency and accountability that the Palestinian Authority says are under way.
"We hope that the procedure carried out today will be crowned with legislative and presidential elections," said Munif Treish, one of the candidates in the West Bank.
Saturday's vote is the first of any kind in Gaza since 2006 and the first Palestinian elections to be held since the Gaza war started more than two years ago with a cross-border Hamas assault on southern Israeli communities. Municipal elections were last held in the West Bank four years ago.
Economic Challenges Facing the Palestinian Authority
Struggle to Pay Wages
STRUGGLE TO PAY WAGES AS ISRAEL WITHHOLDS FUNDS
The Palestinian Authority has struggled to pay wages as Israel withholds tax revenues it collects on its behalf, raising fears of economic collapse. Israel justifies withholding the funds in protest at welfare payments to prisoners and families of those killed by its forces, which it says incentivise attacks.
The Israeli government has also taken steps to help settlers acquire West Bank land. Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich has repeatedly said: "We will continue to kill the idea of a Palestinian state."
Election Atmosphere in Deir al-Balah
In Deir al-Balah, which has suffered less damage from Israel's assault since 2023 than other Gazan cities, banners bearing candidate lists hang from buildings.
The Palestinian election committee cited widespread destruction among the reasons voting could not be held across the rest of Gaza, more than half of which is controlled by Israel, with the rest under Hamas rule.
Political Participation and Boycotts
Hamas Boycott and Candidate Alignment
HAMAS BOYCOTTS VOTE BUT SOME CANDIDATES ARE ALIGNED
Some Palestinian factions boycotted the elections in protest at the Palestinian Authority's request that candidates back its agreements, which include recognition of the state of Israel.
Hamas, which has ruled Gaza for nearly two decades, did not formally nominate any candidates but one list in the Deir al-Balah election was viewed by residents and analysts as being aligned with it.
Performance of Political Factions
Analysts say the performance of candidates linked to the militant group could be a gauge of its popularity. Most candidates, including in the West Bank, are running under Fatah, the main political movement behind the PA, or as independents.
Hamas has said it would respect the results. Palestinian sources told Reuters ahead of the vote that the group's civil policemen had been deployed to safeguard polling stations in Gaza.
Voter Eligibility
The Palestinian Central Elections Committee said more than a million Palestinians, including 70,000 in Gaza, are eligible to vote.
(Reporting by Nidal al-Mughrabi and Ali Sawafta; Additional reporting by Mahmoud Issa in Gaza; editing by Philippa Fletcher and Barbara Lewis)
