Palestinian officials view recent local elections in Gaza and the West Bank as a key step toward a highly anticipated, long-delayed presidential election for the Palestinian Authority.

Palestinian officials say local elections in Gaza and the West Bank mark a step toward a long-delayed presidential election. The Palestinian Authority hasn't held a presidential election in 21 years. <img alt="A Palestinian man votes in local elections, the first in two decades in Gaza and the first in the occupied West Bank since the start of the Israel-Hamas war in Al-Ubaidiya, West Bank, Saturday, April 25, 2026." src="https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims3/default/strip/false/crop/8640x5760+0+0...