Gaza Residents Await Israeli Vote Amid 65 Percent Territory Control

The Israeli general election scheduled for Tuesday will determine the next government in a state that currently holds military control over the majority of the Gaza Strip. For residents in the territory, the ballot box represents a potential shift in policy regarding displacement, reconstruction, and the security perimeter known as the Yellow Line.

Israeli forces currently control approximately 65 percent of Gaza inside the Yellow Line, a buffer zone that divides the territory. This geographic control is a central concern for displaced families who remain unsure when they can return to their homes. The military presence affects daily life and limits movement across the central divide.

The physical condition of the territory underscores the stakes of the vote. More than 80 percent of buildings in Gaza have sustained damage. Of those structures, roughly two-thirds are completely destroyed. The destruction rate stands high despite a ceasefire that has been in place since October 2025.

Mohammed Eliyan, a 36-year-old father of five, was displaced from the Jabalia refugee camp and now resides in Deir el-Balah. He supports Gadi Eisenkot, a former military commander and the main rival to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Eliyan fears that a continued Netanyahu administration would lead to further war and displacement. He stated that while he hopes the next leader is less harsh, he does not expect a dramatic improvement in the situation.

Islam Salem, 41, who was displaced from Beit Lahiya, views the election as primarily serving Israeli interests. He doubts that the approach to Gaza will change regardless of which party wins. Salem noted that reconstruction has not begun in earnest and expressed skepticism that it will start soon under any new government. He described the local situation as one where residents live day by day because the worst outcomes have already materialized.

Hanan Abu al-Maaza, 57, has been displaced more than 12 times during the conflict. She fears that the next government might treat residents worse than the current one. Her hope for a return to her home in Beit Lahiya is tied to a potential loss for Netanyahu. She said the ongoing suffering persists even though most of the physical infrastructure has already been destroyed.

Manar Owaida, 23, lives in the Tal al-Hawa neighborhood of Gaza City. She prefers Eisenkot over 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 war to manage domestic political pressure during the election period.

Mousa Ali, 33, a father of four from Beit Lahiya, emphasized that the election is critical for determining whether displaced people can return to areas beyond the Yellow Line. He hopes Arab parties will perform well enough to influence the next government. Ali stated that a Netanyahu win would likely prolong displacement and maintain Israeli control around the buffer line.

Residents across Gaza expressed a unified desire for the end of the war and the cessation of bloodshed. They view the election as a chance to stop the ongoing conflict and allow for a return to safety. The outcome on Tuesday will dictate the immediate future of the territory's population and the status of the central divide.