Deir al-Balah Holds First Local Elections in Nearly 20 Years

Residents of Deir al-Balah in the central Gaza Strip voted on Saturday in the territory's first municipal elections in nearly two decades, selecting local council members amid ongoing recovery from a devastating war. The polls, organized by the Palestinian Authority's Central Elections Commission, drew about 70,000 eligible voters to 12 polling centers across the city, which was chosen for its relatively limited damage compared to other areas. Voting took place from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. local time, with Palestinian police providing security and observers from 10 local and two international groups monitoring the process.

The elections mark a rare democratic exercise in Gaza, where no votes have occurred since 2005 due to political divisions and conflict. The last nationwide polls in 2006 led to a rift between Hamas, which seized control of Gaza in 2007, and the Fatah-led Palestinian Authority, which governs the West Bank. Hamas did not field candidates or endorse any lists but stated it would respect the results and contributed to securing the sites. Four independent electoral lists competed for 15 council seats: Peace and Construction, Deir al-Balah Unites Us, Future of Deir...