Palestinian leader Abbas postpones elections to September 2027

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has postponed legislative elections from their originally scheduled date of November 2026 until September 11, 2027, citing "obstacles posed by Israeli measures" and the need to establish suitable conditions for free, fair, and inclusive elections. The decree also called for a presidential poll on the same date, to be held in Jerusalem, the West Bank, and Gaza.

Since 2005-2006, no legislative or presidential elections have been held in the Palestinian territories, following Hamas' seizure of control in Gaza. The Palestinian Authority is currently ruling by decree since Abbas' presidential mandate expired in 2009. The delay in the elections is attributed to Israeli military attacks, settlement expansion, settler violence, movement restrictions in the West Bank, and East Jerusalem, as well as Israel's continued withholding of Palestinian tax revenues.

In Gaza, the decree highlighted "exceptional security and humanitarian conditions," the incomplete withdrawal of Israeli forces, the lack of progress in reconstruction, and the failure to implement arrangements for international stabilisation forces and police. The decision to postpone the elections followed consultations with Palestinian factions and political forces, aiming to allow time for a comprehensive national dialogue to strengthen unity and address challenges to the electoral process.