Gazans Expect Little Change After Israel’s Election — SkimNews
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- Israel heads to the polls Tuesday in an election shaped by the Gaza war, with Benjamin Netanyahu criticized over security since the October 7, 2023 Hamas-led attacks and his far-right allies calling for Gazans’ expulsion.
- Gaza has been under a “ceasefire” since October 2025, yet almost daily Israeli airstrikes, a punishing siege and shortages of basic goods continue.
- Mohammed Eliyan, displaced from Jabalia with five children, supports Gadi Eisenkot over Benjamin Netanyahu but says he does not expect conditions to improve dramatically under either leader.
- Islam Salem cites Israeli control of about 65% of Gaza inside the Yellow Line and damage to more than 80% of buildings, including complete destruction of roughly two-thirds, as reasons he doubts reconstruction will begin soon.
- Hanan Abu al-Maaza, displaced more than 12 times during the war, fears another Netanyahu term would worsen conditions and says she hopes a different leader will let Beit Lahiya residents return home.
- Manar Owaida hopes a new government will ease the blockade and withdraw from areas beyond the Yellow Line, allowing life to return gradually; her greatest fear is that Netanyahu launches a wider regional war around the vote.
- Mousa Ali, displaced from Beit Lahiya with four children, hopes the opposition will allow returns beyond the Yellow Line and Arab parties will gain a role, but expects Israeli attacks to continue regardless of who wins.
Why it matters: Interviewees see Netanyahu’s defeat as insufficient by itself: Israel controls about 65% of Gaza, more than 80% of buildings are damaged and roughly two-thirds are destroyed, so reconstruction and returns home remain remote for displaced Palestinian families under either electoral outcome.
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