TUBAS, April 25, 2026 (WAFA) – While residents across Tubas district in the West Bank headed to polling stations to elect their representatives in municipal and village councils, the community of Khirbet Yarza remained entirely outside the electoral process due to the absence of candidates, attributed to ongoing attacks by Israeli colonists.

The small community, located east of Tubas, had previously formed its village council by acclamation. However, no candidates registered for the current election cycle, leaving it excluded from the vote.

Local sources said the situation is linked to worsening conditions on the ground in recent months, as escalating colonist attacks forced several families to leave the center of the community for nearby areas.

Former village council head Mukhlis Masaeed said the community, home to around 32 Palestinian families, has faced increasing pressure for an extended period, prompting most residents to leave due to repeated attacks and damage to their livelihoods based on agriculture and livestock.

He added that these developments have directly impacted daily life, including the inability to participate in local elections and the loss of residents’ right to choose their representatives.

According to Masaeed, 14 families have been displaced as a result of repeated attacks, effectively emptying the community and preventing it from forming a new council.

Data from the Tubas election office shows that 33,971 eligible voters are registered across the governorate, distributed among 64 polling stations in 17 polling centers, including Tubas, Tammun, Wadi al-Far'a, Tayasir, Atouf, Bardala, and Aqqaba.

M.N