Gaza Residents Brace for Israeli Election Amid 65 Percent Military Control

Palestinians in Gaza face a Tuesday election with a shared concern that the outcome will dictate their immediate survival. While a ceasefire has held since October 2025, residents report continuing air strikes and a persistent siege that limits access to basic goods. The territory is currently divided by a military buffer zone known as the Yellow Line, which Israeli forces have established as a control measure.

The political landscape in Israel has been shaped by the war that began with the Hamas-led attacks of October 7, 2023. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has faced scrutiny over his security policies from that period. His current coalition includes far-right members who have advocated for stricter measures in Gaza, including the potential expulsion of the population. Gadi Eisenkot, a former military commander, leads the polling as Netanyahu's primary challenger.

Mohammed Eliyan, 36, who now lives in Deir el-Balah with his five children after leaving Jabalia refugee camp, views the election through the lens of personal displacement. He prefers Eisenkot to Netanyahu but remains skeptical of major improvements. "They are still our enemy, and I don't expect things to improve dramatically," Eliyan said, hoping only for a leader who is less harsh.

Islam Salem, 41, believes the election primarily serves Israeli interests rather than local needs. A father of three displaced from Beit Lahiya, Salem points to the 65 percent of Gaza controlled by Israel inside the Yellow Line. With more than 80 percent of buildings damaged and two-thirds completely destroyed, he doubts reconstruction will begin under any new administration. "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. She fears that a new government might treat her and her neighbors even worse. If Netanyahu loses, she sees a better chance 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, currently residing in the Tal al-Hawa neighborhood of Gaza City, views Eisenkot as a less extreme option than Netanyahu. She argues that Israeli policy has remained consistent for decades, though a change in leadership might ease the blockade. Her primary concern is that Netanyahu might initiate a wider regional war to distract from domestic political pressure around the vote.

Mousa Ali, 33, a father of four, says the election is critical because of the Yellow Line. He hopes Arab parties will perform well enough to influence the next government. Ali does not expect major changes but believes a Netanyahu win would prolong displacement and maintain Israeli control around the buffer zone. "We hope this policy will end and that a new prime minister will stop this ongoing bloodshed," Ali said.

Residents across the territory shared a common appeal for the next Israeli leader: end the war, stop the bloodshed, and allow people to live in safety. The upcoming vote will determine whether the current administration continues its approach or if a new government attempts to adjust its strategy in the occupied territory.