Ankara:Israel has refused entry to representatives of the Palestinian Central Elections Commission into Gaza and occupied East Jerusalem. This decision comes as preparations are underway for legislative elections scheduled for November 28, which would be the first since 2006.

According to Anadolu Agency, The Palestinian news agency Wafa reported that the Israeli government denied entry to the commission, which was set to oversee the electoral process. No further details were provided by the unnamed official source.

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas announced the election date on July 9, with plans for voting to occur in East Jerusalem, the occupied West Bank, and Gaza. Since September 26, the commission has been accepting applications to register electoral lists, receiving eight applications in the first four days, with registration open until October 13.

Hussein al-Sheikh, Palestinian Vice President, indicated on August 2 that if elections cannot proceed in Gaza or other Palestinian territories, an alternative plan would involve forming the Palestinian National Council by consensus. The Palestine Liberation Organization would act as the legitimate representative.

Approximately 2.97 million Palestinians are eligible to vote, including 1.59 million in the West Bank, 1.24 million in Gaza, and 140,000 with Jerusalem identity cards. The last legislative elections in 2006 resulted in a victory for Hamas, leading to a political split with Fatah. Consequently, Hamas took control of Gaza, while the Fatah-led Palestinian Authority remained in the West Bank. The Palestinian Legislative Council has been inactive since 2007, following its dissolution by the Supreme Constitutional Court in 2018.