The Palestinian Authority is set to hold municipal elections in Deir al-Balah, a central Gaza Strip city, offering residents a chance to vote for local representatives amid hopes of rebuilding war-torn communities.
The vote, scheduled for April 25, will mark the first local elections held in Gaza since 2005.
The Palestinian Central Election Commission in February announced that the 2026 local elections would be held for 421 local councils at 12 locations across cities in the West Bank and in Deir al-Balah.
Campaign banners and candidate leaflets have appeared on the streets of Deir al-Balah, an area that escaped the heavy destruction seen elsewhere in the enclave.
Many residents view the elections as an opportunity to revive civic life and repair the infrastructure severely damaged by the ongoing conflict.
"The fact that elections have been absent from the Gaza Strip for 20 years, and now, based on a decision by the Palestinian Authority, we welcome their return. This gives us hope for change and a chance to move forward after years of deprivation, especially following the war," said Saeed Abu Issa, a Palestinian candidate for municipal elections.
"As a displaced person, what I hope from the candidates is to provide services for displaced people and camps, such as sanitation, and to address the spread of rodents and pests," said Ahmed Abu Ouda, a displaced Palestinian.
The last local elections in the West Bank were held in 2021. Elections in Gaza were postponed at the time "until suitable conditions are met," due to the internal Palestinian division.
Central Gaza city to hold first municipal elections since 2005
Central Gaza city to hold first municipal elections since 2005
