So, the Palestinians held local elections over in the West Bank and Gaza. First time Gaza's seen a poll since 2006. Cue the confetti... or maybe not. Turns out, Hamas, the fellas actually running the show in Gaza, weren't exactly on the invite list. Why? Because they refuse to play nice with the Palestinian Liberation Organization (PLO), Mahmoud Abbas's crew. You know, the guys who claim to be in charge.

Apparently, to run in these elections, you gotta kiss the ring and recognize the PLO as the sole legitimate voice of the Palestinian people. Which, if you're Hamas, is a bit of a non-starter. They kinda, you know, violently kicked Fatah (Abbas's faction) out of Gaza back in '07 after winning an election. Awkward.

Reuters is reporting that one slate of candidates is seen as being aligned with Hamas, wink wink nudge nudge. It's all a big Kabuki dance. Deir al-Balah was chosen as the sole Gaza location for these elections because, supposedly, it wasn't as bombed out as the rest during the last Israel-Hamas rumble. Thanks, Trump, for the 'fragile' ceasefire that lets these shenanigans happen.

Fatah is the only major player on the ballot across the Palestinian territories, guaranteeing them victories in some areas because, well, nobody else is running. It's less an election, more a coronation. Elections are happening for 90 municipal councils and 93 village councils, but in a bunch of places, it’s already decided because it’s a one-horse race.

So, what's the point of all this? It’s all about maintaining the illusion of legitimacy. The PLO, sitting pretty in the West Bank, pretends it's in charge. Hamas, running Gaza like their own personal fiefdom, pretends to not care. And the international community nods along, pretending it makes sense.

The whole thing is a carefully orchestrated charade. These local elections are just another act in the never-ending drama that is Palestinian politics. Don't expect any real change. Just more of the same. Buckle up, buttercups.