Gazans fear Israeli election will deepen suffering amid campaign silence
As Israel votes, Palestinians in Gaza brace for more hardship, saying their future is ignored by all major parties.
At a glance
- Nearly 75,000 Palestinians have been killed since October 2023, with close to a million displaced facing severe shortages in Gaza.
- Both Netanyahu and opposition leader Eisenkot focus on defeating Hamas, with neither outlining a clear post-war plan for Gaza.
- Gazans express deep pessimism, fearing renewed conflict and worsening conditions regardless of the election outcome.
Gaza residents are bracing for the outcome of Israel's election, fearing renewed violence and worsening humanitarian conditions regardless of which party wins. Nearly 75,000 Palestinians have been killed since October 2023, and close to a million displaced people face severe shortages of water, food, and medical care.
Both Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's far-right coalition and opposition leader Gadi Eisenkot's Yesh Atid (referred to as Yashar in the source) have centered their campaigns on defeating Hamas, with little mention of Gaza's humanitarian crisis. Neither candidate has outlined a clear post-war vision for the territory.
"We hope a government will come to power that is less inclined towards killing, displacement and our extermination," said Sami Abu Rumi, 47, a displaced resident of Rafah living in al-Mawasi. "But, ultimately, we see the thinking of Israeli governments as largely similar."
Eisenkot, a former military chief who led Israel's 2006 war with Hezbollah and helped develop the controversial Dahiya doctrine advocating overwhelming force in civilian areas, remains hawkish despite his party's lead in polls. Critics argue this strategy has been applied in Gaza, contributing to widespread destruction.
"Gaza's suffering has become campaign fodder," Abu Rumi added. "Meanwhile, families here struggle to feed their children, keep them in school and access medical care."
The Arab-led Joint List party criticized the mainstream parties for treating Gaza's devastation as normal, releasing a video showing drone footage of ruined cities. "They want more destruction. We offer life," the party said.
Among Gaza residents, pessimism runs deep. "I do not believe anyone genuinely cares about Gaza or has its people's interests at heart," said Haneen Hamdouna, 45, from Beit Lahia. "Whether it is Netanyahu, Eisenkot or someone else, attacking Gaza seems to have become part of Israeli election campaigning."
Commercial deliveries into Gaza have been suspended for about a week, causing prices to spike. Flour now costs more than three times its previous price, raising fears of another food crisis.
Some residents are postponing life events out of fear. Karim Mareesh, 43, said a friend delayed his son's wedding until after the election, worried that a far-right victory could trigger renewed fighting.
More than 20,000 Palestinian children have been killed since October 2023, according to local health authorities. Many in Gaza say they no longer believe promises made by Israeli leaders.
"Everything said about addressing our suffering is nothing more than an attempt to soothe our pain," said Noor AlMoghanni, 20, from Gaza City. "Whether Netanyahu wins or loses, the reality here will not change."
Source: The Guardian World
Questions and answers
- Why are Palestinians in Gaza concerned about the Israeli election?
- Gazans fear that whichever party wins, their humanitarian crisis will worsen. Both major candidates have focused on defeating Hamas rather than addressing Gaza's dire conditions.
- What is the humanitarian situation in Gaza during the election period?
- Close to a million displaced Palestinians face water shortages, food scarcity, and limited medical access. Commercial deliveries have been suspended, driving up prices sharply.
- How do Israeli candidates differ on Gaza policy?
- Both Netanyahu and Eisenkot vow to end Hamas rule and support Trump's peace plan, but neither has set out a clear vision for Gaza's future beyond military objectives.
