Palestinians Hold First Local Elections in Gaza and West Bank in Decades
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Palestinians in a central Gaza community and across the West Bank held local elections, the first such votes in their respective areas in over two decades. Turnout was 23% in Gaza's Deir al-Balah, where Hamas did not block the vote, and 56% in the West Bank. Results were dominated by independents and Fatah, the faction leading the Palestinian Authority (PA).
Facts First
- Local elections were held in Gaza's Deir al-Balah and the West Bank, the first in each area in more than two decades.
- Hamas did not field candidates or block the vote in Deir al-Balah, which it controls.
- Turnout was 23% in Deir al-Balah and 56% in the West Bank, representing over half a million people.
- Candidates were required to accept the PLO program, which recognizes Israel and renounces armed struggle.
- Results were dominated by independents and Fatah, the faction leading the Palestinian Authority (PA).
What Happened
Local elections were held on Saturday, April 25, 2026, in the central Gaza community of Deir al-Balah and across the Israeli-occupied West Bank. The Deir al-Balah vote was the first election in part of Hamas-run Gaza in more than two decades, while the West Bank election was the first since the start of the Israel-Hamas war. Hamas, which controls the half of Gaza Israel withdrew from last year, did not field candidates and did not attempt to block the vote. Turnout was 23% in Deir al-Balah and 56% in the West Bank. Candidates were required to accept the program of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO), which calls for the recognition of Israel and the renunciation of armed struggle. Election results were dominated by independents and Fatah, the faction leading the Palestinian Authority (PA). The elections were for local councils responsible for overseeing water, roads, and electricity.
Why this Matters to You
These elections represent a small but tangible step in Palestinian civic life, which has been largely frozen for two decades. For residents, the newly elected local councils may be able to address immediate, practical needs like water and road maintenance more directly. The requirement for candidates to accept the PLO's platform could signal a potential, though distant, shift toward more moderate local governance in areas like Gaza. However, the low turnout in Gaza and the exclusion of the Palestinian Authority from major ceasefire plans highlight that these local votes are unlikely to quickly alter the broader political stalemate or the daily realities of war and occupation for most Palestinians.
What's Next
The newly elected local councils will begin their work overseeing municipal services. The relatively peaceful conduct of the vote, including Hamas's non-interference in Gaza, may encourage calls for further electoral steps. However, the Palestinian Authority has not held a presidential election in 21 years or a legislative election since 2006, and there is no announced plan to change that. The outcome of these local elections could be used by factions to argue for or against broader political renewal, but any move toward national elections would require navigating deep internal divisions and external pressures, including from an Israeli government led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that opposes a Palestinian state.