Deir al-Balah in Gaza back in the headlines as conflict spikes and displacement\n-city center, capital of Deir al-Balah Governorate, sits 14 km south of Gaza City.
On April 25–26, 2026, municipal elections have been held across 183 West Bank councils and in Gaza's Deir al-Balah. Turnout has reached about 56% in the West Bank but only 23% in Deir al-Balah. The vote has been described as a symbolic pilot to politically link Gaza and the West Bank while displacement, outdated registries and political disillusionment have limited participation.