Loyalists of Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas have won most municipal races in Palestinian elections, including seats in a rare vote held in the Gaza Strip, election officials said on Sunday.

The elections took place at what Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammed Mustafa described as a “highly sensitive moment amid complex challenges and exceptional circumstances,” as results were announced, reports Al Jazeera.

Saturday’s vote marked the first elections in Gaza since 2006 and the first Palestinian polls since Israel’s war in the territory began in October 2023.

In central Gaza’s Deir el-Balah, turnout remained low, with only about 23 percent of voters participating, according to the Central Elections Commission. In the occupied West Bank, turnout was reported at 56 percent.

The Gaza vote was largely symbolic and described by Palestinian Authority officials as a “pilot” election aimed at reinforcing the territory’s place in a future Palestinian state.

Hamas, which has controlled Gaza since 2007, did not field candidates and boycotted the West Bank polls. However, some Gaza-based lists were seen as informally aligned with the group.

Preliminary results showed that the Abbas-backed Fatah list secured six of the 15 seats in Deir el-Balah, while another list linked to Hamas sympathisers won two seats. The remaining seats went to independent local groups.

In the West Bank, Fatah-affiliated lists reportedly dominated many races, often running unopposed.

Officials said voter participation in Gaza was affected by ongoing conflict, displacement and damage to electoral infrastructure, with some ballot materials unable to enter the enclave due to restrictions.

Despite the difficulties, some residents said they voted to exercise their democratic rights amid the ongoing crisis.