Gaza Ceasefire: Residents Await Tuesday Vote

Ordinary life in Gaza remains defined by uncertainty as residents prepare to observe the Israeli general election scheduled for Tuesday. Although a ceasefire has been in place since October 2025, local residents report that the truce has not halted all hostilities. Many continue to experience near-daily air strikes and endure a siege that has left essential goods in short supply. This ongoing pressure has created a climate of anxiety mixed with faint hope among the population.

The current political campaign has been heavily influenced by the war. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu faces continued criticism regarding security measures prior to the October 7, 2023, attacks. Members of his far-right coalition have pushed for stricter policies, including proposals to expel parts of the Gaza population. These debates have shaped the expectations of those living on the ground.

Mohammed Eliyan, 36, was displaced from the Jabalia refugee camp and currently resides in Deir el-Balah with five children. He favors Gadi Eisenkot, a former military commander and Netanyahu's primary challenger, for the premiership. Eliyan fears that a second term for Netanyahu and his allies would result in further displacement and conflict, yet he remains skeptical of a rapid improvement. "They are still our enemy, and I don't expect things to improve dramatically," he said, noting he hopes the next administration might be "less harsh."

Islam Salem, 41, is a father of three daughters who was displaced from Beit Lahiya. He believes the election outcome will likely worsen his children's future. Salem points to Israel's control of approximately 65 percent of Gaza, a zone demarcated by the "Yellow Line." He doubts that reconstruction efforts will begin soon, noting that more than 80 percent of buildings in the territory have sustained damage. Of those damaged structures, about two-thirds are completely destroyed. "We live day by day," he said. "Everything we feared has already happened."

Hanan Abu al-Maaza, 57, has been displaced more than 12 times since the war began. She stated that fear is the primary driver of her interest in the vote. Abu al-Maaza believes that if Netanyahu loses, her chances of returning to her home in Beit Lahiya improve. "We have had enough of war and destruction," she said. "There is nothing left to destroy, yet the suffering continues."

Manar Owaida, 23, lives in the Tal al-Hawa neighborhood of Gaza City after being displaced from the north. She also supports Eisenkot, viewing him as less extreme than Netanyahu. Owaida argued that Israeli policy has remained consistent for decades, but she suggested a new government might ease the blockade and withdraw from areas beyond the Yellow Line. Her greatest concern is that Netanyahu might initiate a wider regional war to alleviate domestic political pressure surrounding the election.

Mousa Ali, 33, is a father of four who was displaced from Beit Lahiya. He views the election as critical because of the Yellow Line and the potential for displaced people to return to areas beyond it. Ali hopes Arab parties will perform strongly enough to influence the next government. He does not anticipate major changes but believes a victory for Netanyahu would prolong displacement and maintain Israeli control near the line.

Residents shared a common appeal for the next Israeli leader: end the war, stop the bloodshed, and allow people to live in safety. "We hope this policy will end and that a new prime minister will stop this ongoing bloodshed," Ali said. The next government will take office following the Tuesday vote, which determines the leadership responsible for policies affecting the 65 percent of territory currently under Israeli control.