Human review coming soon.
Palestinians Hold Local Elections Without Hamas
Local elections took place on Saturday in the West Bank and Gaza. The West Bank is occupied by Israel.
Hamas and other Palestinian groups did not put forward candidates. But Hamas spokesman Hazem Qassem said the group is ready to help the vote succeed.
Hamas also sent police to protect polling stations. The group said it would respect the results.
One candidate list in Deir al-Balah city in central Gaza is seen as linked to Hamas. So Hamas could still hold some indirect power.
The fact that major groups did not take part limits the scope of the elections. The Gaza vote is described by leaders as a trial run and largely symbolic.
It aims to link Gaza and the West Bank under one political system. This is seen as a step toward Palestinian statehood.
These are the first local elections in Gaza in 20 years. In the West Bank they are the first since the Israel-Hamas war began in 2023.
Klear Note — These are Gaza's first local elections in 20 years. Hamas ruled Gaza for nearly two decades. Local elections help Palestinians build toward self-government.
Key Terms 4
- occupied West Bank
- Palestinian land controlled by Israel since 1967
- Hamas
- Palestinian group that governs Gaza and fights Israel
- pilot
- A small test run before doing something on a larger scale
- Palestinian statehood
- The goal of Palestinians having their own independent country