Gaza area holds first municipal election in 20 years

Palestinians in central Gaza and the occupied West Bank have begun municipal elections, the first in Gaza in 20 years, amid ongoing conflict. Polling opened for 70,000 voters in Deir el-Balah, chosen for its relative intactness from Israeli attacks. The elections, largely symbolic, face criticism due to corruption and lack of genuine political reform, with no candidates from Hamas and most lists backed by Fatah. President Mahmoud Abbas has introduced electoral reforms, but the political landscape remains restricted.

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