Palestinians In Gaza Fear Israel’s Election Won’t Ease Air Strikes Or Siege

Gaza watches Israel vote

Palestinians in Gaza watched Israel’s upcoming elections with fear and uncertainty after three years of “genocidal war,” while Al Jazeera said the territory has been under a “ceasefire” since October 2025 but continues to endure almost daily Israeli air strikes, dire living conditions, and a punishing siege. Mohammed Eliyan, 36, told Al Jazeera that he follows the Israeli election “to see who will win in the next phase,” adding, “We hope there might be some easing for the Palestinian cause and for us, who have been displaced again.” Islam Salem, 41, told Al Jazeera that “Israeli policy will not change in any way,” and he pointed to Israel’s continued control of about 65 percent of Gaza’s territory inside the “Yellow Line.”

Hanan Abu al-Maaza, 57, told Al Jazeera that she has been displaced more than 12 times during the war on Gaza and fears Israel’s next government could bring more suffering to people in the besieged enclave. Al Jazeera said Gaza’s reconstruction hopes remain uncertain, with Salem describing reconstruction as “difficult” and warning that “They do not want to give others any rights.”

Reporting for this sectionAl Jazeera

Hardline rhetoric and plans

Itamar Ben-Gvir told The Jerusalem Post that Gazans should be sent to France or other countries in Europe so that Israel can “conquer the whole territory” of the Gaza Strip, and he argued that he supported US President Donald Trump’s plan to relocate Palestinians there.

Ben-Gvir said, “Why not send them to France, for example? Give them good conditions in other countries, perhaps Britain, London, or places like that,” linking the proposal to “encourage emigration.”

Open Media reported that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ordered the delaying of the travel of thousands of Palestinians to Egypt for training to prepare Palestinian police forces that will operate in the Gaza Strip until after the elections.

Open Media said Israel Hayom reported that the Shin Bet (Shabak) approved between 5,000 and 7,000 names of candidates, while the Prime Minister’s Office denied the claim that the postponement is linked to the elections.

A source familiar with the details told Open Media that “Netanyahu has halted many moves in recent weeks regarding the Gaza Strip and postponed them until after the elections.”

Reporting for this sectionwww.jpost › Israel Election 2026

What changes, what stays

The Guardian report prepared by Suha Tangotsh and Lorenzo Tondo said the suffering in Gaza has become material for electoral campaigns, while Palestinians expect the worst from the Israeli elections as Gadi Eisenkot and Benjamin Netanyahu pledge to end Hamas rule. Sami Abu Rumi, 47, told the Arab Jerusalem that “Gaza’s suffering has become material for electoral campaigns,” and he said, “At the same time, families here struggle to feed their children, keep them in school, and obtain medical care.” The Guardian said Palestinians in Gaza are awaiting a result that could determine their future, while it described Gaza as having nearly a million displaced Palestinians facing deplorable health conditions and a severe water shortage.

Hanin Hamdona, 45, told the Arab Jerusalem that “Whether Netanyahu or Eisenkot or others wins, it seems attacking Gaza has become part of Israeli electoral campaigns,” and she added, “it will allow 200 trucks into Gaza instead of 100, but that won’t bring about real change in our lives.” The Arab Jerusalem said the Joint List posted a 48-second video showing aerial shots of rubble in Gaza, and the voiceover said, “We act as if everything that happened here is completely normal.”