Ruptly
"On Saturday, April 25th, Palestinians cast their ballots in municipal elections held in several cities in the West Bank. These were the first local elections to be held since the outbreak of the Gaza conflict in 2023. Despite the security and organisational presence outside the polling stations, a significant number of citizens turned out to vote. Footage from the city of Al-Bireh in Ramallah shows voters casting their ballots at polling stations, whilst election committee staff recorded names and organised the process. Candidate Lama Abu Halou said the elections were 'not merely administrative formalities', but rather 'a message and a voice for the Palestinian people' in the current circumstances, emphasising that participation proves 'that we will continue with our voice and our message, and that we have the right to choose and to speak'. Khaled Abdel-Gawad explained that he voted out because he 'wants to bring about change', stressing the importance of collective action within municipal councils. He added that the city needs improved services, such as 'playgrounds and cleanliness', free from disputes. The Central Elections Commission announced that the final turnout in the West Bank for the local elections stood at 53.44 per cent. These are the first elections in the West Bank since the outbreak of the conflict in Gaza in October 2023. Moreover, the Gaza Strip also held elections for the first time in the city of Deir al-Balah since 2006. The Israel-Hamas war erupted on October 7, 2023, following Hamas attacks that killed 1,139 people (mostly Israeli civilians) and captured over 200 hostages. In response, the Israeli military launched a wide-scale military campaign in the Gaza Strip, including airstrikes and a ground incursion. This campaign has killed 72,289 Palestinians and injured 172,040 others at the time of publication. After Israel announced the start of the second phase of Operation 'Gideon's Chariots 2' aimed at recovering hostages and expelling Hamas from Gaza, US President Donald Trump put forward a 20-point 'Peace Council' plan, which was accepted by both Hamas and Israel. The plan has drawn broad welcome from several Arab and international countries as an initial framework for ending the conflict in the Gaza Strip."
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