Gaza and the West Bank have commenced municipal elections for the first time in two decades, marking a significant attempt to restore local governance amid ongoing conflict.With 70,000 voters in Deir al-Balah and 1.5 million in the West Bank participating, the polls are being organized by the Palestinian Authority while Hamas remains in the background.Candidates are focusing on basic service delivery and infrastructure repair, though severe restrictions and deep-seated skepticism about the political climate persist among the electorate.