In light of the upcoming elections in Israel, many Palestinians in Gaza find themselves grappling with a profound mix of hope and trepidation. While a ceasefire technically remains in place, the reality is that daily challenges continue to plague life in Gaza, from airstrikes to basic shortages, leaving many to wonder if a change in Israeli leadership might bring about a brighter future.
DEIR EL-BALAH, GAZA STRIP — As Israelis prepare to head to the polls amidst a backdrop of ongoing tension, the residents of Gaza are left to contemplate the ramifications of this election. Nearly three years into a tumultuous conflict marked by a multifaceted siege and a series of airstrikes, the people of Gaza endure difficult living conditions that hearken back to far more harrowing times. Despite ongoing talk of a “ceasefire” since October 2025, life remains challenging, and many residents feel the weight of uncertainty as they look toward the future.
The upcoming election has been significantly influenced by the events following the October 7, 2023, Hamas-led attacks on Israel. Criticism has mounted against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu regarding his pre-attack security measures. Members of his far-right coalition have intensified calls for aggressive policies, including the expulsion of Palestinians from Gaza. With so much at stake, Gazans watch the election closely, hoping for a shift that could ease their suffering.
Among those observing is Mohammed Eliyan, a 36-year-old father and refugee from Jabalia camp, who now resides in Deir el-Balah with his children. Eliyan harbors hope that a new Israeli leadership might alleviate the relentless pressure placed upon Palestinians. “We follow the Israeli election to see who will win in the next phase,” he shares, expressing cautious optimism that a leadership change might grant some relief to many who have been subject to repeated displacements.
Eliyan, along with many others, has set his sights on Gadi Eisenkot, the former Israeli military commander and Netanyahu’s primary opponent, believing that his leadership could signal a departure from the hardline approach that characterized Netanyahu’s tenure. The reality, however, is tempered with skepticism. Many, like Eliyan, acknowledge that even a new face in power may not drastically alter the entrenched policies governing Gaza.
Displaced individuals like Islam Salem, 41, from Beit Lahiya, echo this sentiment, expressing how tightly interconnected politics are with their lives. “Politics is our livelihood. It is connected to everything in our lives, our living conditions and even the future of our children,” he states. Rights to land and resources continue to provoke anxiety among Gazans, who face uncertainty about reconstruction. With over 80 percent of buildings damaged and many completely destroyed, the path to recovery seems bleak.
For Hanan Abu al-Maaza, who has been displaced more than a dozen times, the anxiety surrounding the elections is palpable. “We go to sleep without feeling safe, wondering what they might do to us next,” she reveals. Her longing for peace underscores a shared desire among many Gazans: to return to their homes and live without the fear of violence.
Twenty-three-year-old Manar Owaida, who has also been displaced, expresses a cautious hope that the elections might bring about a change, even as she acknowledges the long-standing continuity of Israeli policy. “There might be a change in Israeli policy if someone comes in place of Netanyahu and eases the blockade,” she notes.
As the election looms, the people of Gaza look to those in power, yearning for a reprieve from the ongoing conflict that has dictated their lives for far too long. Mousa Ali, a father of four displaced from Beit Lahiya, sums up the sentiment by stating, “Every day in Gaza, there is blood, there are people being killed.” This critical election has become a symbol of hope, yet for many, it also represents the stark and unchanging reality they face.
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