US EditionFatah Claims Sweeping Win in Palestinian Local Elections
The party said 197 councils were formed by consensus as turnout reached 53.44%, with Hamas excluded from the ballot.
- On Sunday, Palestinian Authority-run WAFA News Agency reported that Fatah achieved a "sweeping victory" in the April 25 local council elections, winning the majority of races across the West Bank and in the Gaza city of Deir al-Balah.
- The ballot marked the first Palestinian polls since the Gaza war began more than two years ago, with the Palestinian Authority including Deir al-Balah to demonstrate that the coastal territory remains an inseparable part of a future state.
- Voter turnout reached 56% in the West Bank and 23% in Gaza, according to Central Elections Commission Chairman Rami al Hamdallah, who noted the commission managed the process despite Israeli movement restrictions.
- Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammad Mustafa called the vote an "important first step" toward national unity, though critics pointed to process failings and Hamas spokesperson Hazem Qassem downplayed the results as having no national impact.
- Despite PA President Mahmoud Abbas's promise of national elections by October 10, 2026, analysts remain skeptical, viewing the municipal vote as only a partial proof of concept for the administrative feasibility of future national polls.
34 Articles
34 Articles
Supporters of Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas won most constituencies in Palestinian municipal elections, election officials said Sunday, including a city in Gaza for the first time in nearly two decades.
Parties backed by Palestinian President Abbas win seats in Gaza, sweep occupied West Bank
Loyalists of President Mahmoud Abbas won most races in Palestinian municipal elections, election officials said on Sunday, in a vote that for the first time in nearly two decades included a city in the Gaza Strip run by rival Hamas.
Palestinians Hold Municipal Elections in Move to Normalize Levers of Democracy in Corruption-Filled West Bank and Gaza
Hamas was excluded from the vote as parties and candidates were forced to agree to support a two-state solution in order to participate for posts that have no legislative authority.
In Palestine, the allies of Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas won the municipal elections held on Saturday.
The voting took place for the first time in two decades.
The Palestinians were called to vote this weekend, even in the Gaza Strip – for the first time since 2007.
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