Gaza Ceasefire: Residents Await Israeli Ballot Results

For Palestinians in Gaza, the Israeli general election scheduled for Tuesday carries weight beyond the border. Residents say the outcome will determine the pace of reconstruction, the scope of Israeli control, and their ability to return to homes displaced by the war. The territory has maintained a ceasefire since October 2025, but daily life remains defined by near-daily air strikes and a siege that has limited the supply of basic goods.

The path to this election began with the Hamas-led attacks of October 7, 2023. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government faced intense scrutiny over its security preparations in the lead-up to that date. In the months following, members of his far-right coalition pushed for a harder stance on Gaza, including proposals to expel the population. This political debate has shaped the current ballot, with Netanyahu’s main rival, former military commander Gadi Eisenkot, campaigning on a platform that contrasts with his opponent’s approach.

Israel currently controls approximately 65 percent of the Gaza Strip inside a demarcated boundary known as the Yellow Line. This geographic divide has become the central issue for displaced families. More than 80 percent of buildings in Gaza have sustained damage, and roughly two-thirds of those structures are completely destroyed. The physical state of the territory influences how residents view the potential shift in political leadership.

Mohammed Eliyan, 36, now lives in Deir el-Balah with his five children after being displaced from the Jabalia refugee camp. He supports Eisenkot’s candidacy, fearing that a second term for Netanyahu’s Likud party would bring further war. Eliyan notes that while he expects the new leader to be less harsh, he does not anticipate a dramatic improvement in conditions. "They are still our enemy, and I don't expect things to improve dramatically," he said.

Islam Salem, 41, believes the election will likely worsen his children's future. Displaced from Beit Lahiya, he argues that the Israeli approach to Gaza will remain consistent regardless of who wins. He points to the extensive destruction and doubts that reconstruction will begin soon. "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 conflict. She views a loss for Netanyahu as a better chance to return to her home in Beit Lahiya. Abu al-Maaza expressed exhaustion with the ongoing destruction, noting that the physical infrastructure is largely gone but the human cost continues. "We have had enough of war and destruction," she said.

Manar Owaida, 23, resides in the Tal al-Hawa neighborhood of Gaza City. She hopes Eisenkot replaces Netanyahu, whom she views as more extreme. Owaida believes a new government might ease the blockade and withdraw from areas beyond the Yellow Line. Her primary concern is that Netanyahu might initiate a wider regional conflict to manage domestic political pressure surrounding the vote.

Mousa Ali, 33, sees the election as critical for the fate of displaced families. He hopes Arab parties perform strongly enough to influence the next government. Ali does not expect major changes but believes a Netanyahu victory would prolong Israeli control around the Yellow Line and extend the period of displacement for many families.

Residents across the territory shared a common request for the next Israeli leader: end the war and allow people to live in safety. Ali summarized this sentiment, stating, "We hope this policy will end and that a new prime minister will stop this ongoing bloodshed."

The vote takes place on Tuesday, with results expected to determine the next prime minister. The outcome will directly impact the implementation of the ceasefire terms and the management of the Yellow Line boundary that divides the Gaza Strip.