Gaza Residents Fear Same Outcome in Tuesday Israeli Vote

Palestinians in Gaza face a Tuesday vote in Israel that offers little comfort. While a ceasefire has held since October 2025, residents report near-daily air strikes, a strict siege, and severe shortages of basic goods. The election is defined by the conflict, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu facing criticism over security failures leading to the October 7, 2023 attacks. Members of his far-right cabinet have pushed for harsher measures, including the expulsion of Gaza’s population.

Mohammed Eliyan, 36, displaced from Jabalia refugee camp, now lives in Deir el-Balah with five children. He supports Gadi Eisenkot, a former military commander and Netanyahu’s main rival. Eliyan fears a second term for the Likud party and its allies will bring more war and displacement. Yet he holds low expectations for a major shift. "They are still our enemy, and I don't expect things to improve dramatically," he said, adding that he hopes the next leader is "less harsh."

Islam Salem, 41, believes the election results will likely worsen the future for his three daughters. Displaced from Beit Lahiya, he argues that elections primarily serve Israeli interests. He points to Israel’s control of about 65 percent of Gaza inside the "Yellow Line" and doubts reconstruction will begin soon. More than 80 percent of buildings in Gaza are damaged, and roughly two-thirds are completely destroyed. "We live day by day," Salem said. "Everything we feared has already happened."

Hanan Abu al-Maaza, 57, has been displaced more than 12 times during the war. Fear drives her interest in the vote. She dreads worse treatment from the next government but believes a Netanyahu loss improves 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, displaced in Gaza City’s Tal al-Hawa neighborhood, also hopes Eisenkot replaces Netanyahu. She views the current prime minister as more extreme but notes that Israeli policy has remained consistent for decades. Owaida believes a new government might ease the blockade and withdraw from areas beyond the Yellow Line. Her greatest fear is that Netanyahu might start a wider regional war to relieve domestic political pressure around the vote.

Mousa Ali, 33, a father of four displaced from Beit Lahiya, says the election is critical because of the Yellow Line. He hopes displaced people can return to areas beyond it and that Arab parties perform strongly enough to influence the next government. Ali does not expect major change. He believes a Netanyahu win would prolong displacement and Israeli control around the line.

Residents share a common appeal for Israel’s next leader: end the war, stop the bloodshed, and let people live in safety. "We hope this policy will end and that a new prime minister will stop this ongoing bloodshed," Ali said.