Abbas loyalists secure majority in Palestinian municipal polls amid Gaza constraints

Loyalists of President Mahmoud Abbas have secured a majority of seats in Palestinian municipal elections held across the West Bank and Gaza. In the West Bank, Abbas-backed Fatah candidates swept the vote, reflecting the party's continued dominance in the territory. Election officials confirmed that the results underscore the institutional strength of the Palestinian Authority in areas under its control, despite the broader geopolitical tensions surrounding the region.

The voting landscape presented a sharp divergence between the two territories. In the West Bank, the election saw a voter turnout of 56 per cent. By contrast, turnout in Gaza was recorded at 23 per cent, significantly lower than its counterpart in the north. Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammed Mustafa described the vote as occurring at a highly sensitive moment amid complex challenges and exceptional circumstances, acknowledging the difficult environment in which the poll took place.

The low participation in Gaza was attributed to the ongoing war and significant population displacement. An outdated population registry, described as a consequence of the conflict, contributed to difficulties in voter registration among a displaced and homeless population. Furthermore, the Israeli military has continued conducting strikes in Gaza despite a ceasefire taking effect in October, creating an environment where many residents remain focused on immediate survival rather than civic engagement.

Logistical hurdles further complicated the process in the enclave. Some ballot boxes and voting equipment failed to reach Gaza due to Israeli restrictions on items entering the territory. Al Jazeera's Hind Khoudary, reporting from Gaza City, noted the obvious imposition of these restrictions by Israeli forces on everything entering the strip. These constraints meant the election in Gaza proceeded under conditions that officials admitted were far from ideal compared to standard electoral operations.

Despite the boycott by Hamas in the West Bank and the absence of formal nominations from the group in Gaza, the poll proceeded as a test of the Palestinian Authority's reach. Hamas has governed Gaza since 2007 and traditionally does not participate in Palestinian Authority-led elections. However, a pro-Hamas list known as Deir el-Balah Brings Us Together won two of the 15 seats contested in the city, suggesting a potential indicator of support for the movement even without official endorsement.

The remaining seats in Gaza were distributed among local groups not affiliated with major factions, including Future of Deir el-Balah and Peace and Building. In Deir el-Balah, the Nahdat Deir el-Balah list, backed by Abbas's Fatah party and the Palestinian Authority, secured six seats. This outcome, combined with the Fatah sweep in the West Bank, reinforces the institutional grip of the Abbas loyalists, even as the political reality in Gaza remains fragmented and volatile.