Gaza Residents Await Tuesday Israeli Vote Amid 65 Percent Territory Control

Palestinian residents in Gaza are tracking the Israeli general election scheduled for Tuesday with a combination of anxiety and low expectations for immediate change. The territory has observed a ceasefire since October 2025, but daily life remains marked by frequent Israeli airstrikes and a siege that has severely limited the supply of basic goods.

The campaign has been defined by the war, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu facing scrutiny over the security failures preceding the Hamas-led attacks of October 7, 2023. Members of his far-right coalition have pushed for a harder stance on Gaza, including proposals to expel the territory's population. Netanyahu's primary challenger is Gadi Eisenkot, a former military commander who has positioned himself as a pragmatic alternative.

Mohammed Eliyan, a 36-year-old father of five living in Deir el-Balah after being displaced from Jabalia, favors Eisenkot but remains skeptical of the outcome. He fears that a second term for Likud and its allies would extend the conflict and increase displacement. "They are still our enemy, and I don't expect things to improve dramatically," Eliyan said, adding that he hopes for a leader who is "less harsh."

Islam Salem, 41, displaced from Beit Lahiya, argues that the election primarily serves Israeli interests rather than altering the situation in Gaza. He points to Israel's current control of approximately 65 percent of the territory inside the "Yellow Line." With more than 80 percent of buildings damaged and two-thirds of those completely destroyed, Salem doubts that reconstruction efforts will begin soon. "We live day by day," he stated. "Everything we feared has already happened."

Hanan Abu al-Maaza, 57, has been displaced more than 12 times during the war. She believes a loss for Netanyahu would improve her chances of returning to her home in Beit Lahiya. "We have had enough of war and destruction," she said. "There is nothing left to destroy, yet the suffering continues."

Manar Owaida, 23, and Mousa Ali, 33, both displaced from northern Gaza, share the hope that Eisenkot will replace Netanyahu. Owaida fears that Netanyahu might initiate a wider regional war to alleviate domestic political pressure. Ali, a father of four, emphasized the importance of the Yellow Line for the return of displaced families and hopes that Arab parties will gain enough seats to influence the next government. Both men do not anticipate a major policy shift but view the election as a decisive moment for their immediate safety.

The residents interviewed shared a common demand for the incoming Israeli leadership to end the bloodshed and allow people to live in safety. "We hope this policy will end and that a new prime minister will stop this ongoing bloodshed," Ali said.