First Palestinian Elections Since Gaza War Held Without Hamas Participation

Palestinians in the West Bank and central Gaza began municipal voting on the 25th. This is the first election since the Gaza war, but residents showed little enthusiasm due to limited choices. According to the Central Election Commission in Ramallah, there are 1.5 million voters in the West Bank and 70,000 in Deir al-Balah, Gaza. The candidates are either from President Mahmud Abbas's Fatah party or are independent. Hamas, which still controls half of Gaza, has no affiliated candidates. In many cities, candidates ran unopposed. A businessman from Tulkarem told AFP he has no hope for change, as the Israeli occupation authority truly rules the city. The UN coordinator called the election an important opportunity for democratic rights. However, President Abbas, 90, has ruled without elections for over 20 years. Analysts say the Gaza vote is 'testing the waters' in a post-war environment where no polls have been conducted.