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have demanded and Ìýhold general elections in the coastal enclave after a 15-year suspension.

Next March, the is scheduled to hold the second phase of local elections amid a boycott by Hamas, the Islamist rulers of Gaza. The took place in December 2021.

Jamal Hmaid, a 36-year-old local resident, said he had never practiced his right to vote in Palestinian elections, expressing his anger at being denied the right to choose his representatives.

"Gazans want to live in ordinary life and participate in all their legal rights, including choosing their representatives who have to present the best of economic, political, and social environments for them," he said.

The last time Gazans voted was in 2006 when Hamas won a generalÌýelection in the Palestinian Territories, resulting in clashes with Fatah rivals.ÌýHamasÌýforcibly took over the Gaza Strip from Fatah in 2007.

Since then, no legislative or presidential elections have been held in the territories, while the last municipal vote - also boycotted by Hamas - took place in 2017.

Jamil Al-Hamlawi, anotherÌýGaza City resident, complained that no one from the international community is interested in recognising the Gazans' existence amid the ongoing internal constant struggle for power that has contributed to the people's suffering.

"Based on their point of view, unfortunately, we are illegitimate people. In comparison, our politicians cling to their partisan interests only," the man said.Ìý

Hamas has set three main conditions for its participationÌýin local elections and to allow for the second phase of votingÌýto go ahead in March.

ThisÌýincludes general elections - postponedÌýlast year - to beÌýheld at the same time or soon after the local elections,Ìýa written pledge from President Mahmoud Abbas assuring that the vote will not be cancelled again, and that amendments to theÌýlocal elections law areÌýrevoked.