65 percent of Gaza under Israeli control as election looms

Palestinians in Gaza are watching the Israeli general election scheduled for Tuesday with a focus on the territory’s physical control rather than the candidates themselves. The conflict has shaped the campaign, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu facing scrutiny over the events leading up to the October 7, 2023 attacks. His far-right coalition members have pushed for a harder stance, including the expulsion of Gaza’s population. For residents, the vote represents a potential shift in how much of the land remains under Israeli military authority.

Israel currently controls approximately 65 percent of the Gaza Strip within what is known as the Yellow Line. Islam Salem, 41, a father of three displaced from Beit Lahiya, pointed to this territorial hold as the primary factor determining his family’s future. He noted that while more than 80 percent of buildings in Gaza are damaged, about two-thirds of those structures are completely destroyed. Salem doubts that reconstruction will begin under any new administration, stating that the approach to the territory will remain consistent regardless of who wins.

Mohammed Eliyan, 36, lives in Deir el-Balah with his five children after being displaced from the Jabalia refugee camp. He supports Gadi Eisenkot, a former military commander and Netanyahu’s main rival, hoping for a less harsh leadership style. Eliyan expects another term for the Likud party and its allies to bring more war and displacement. He said, “They are still our enemy, and I don’t expect things to improve dramatically,” adding that he hopes the next government might be “less harsh.”

The election also raises questions about the durability of the ceasefire that has been in place since October 2025. Residents report near-daily Israeli air strikes and a siege that keeps basic goods in short supply. Hanan Abu al-Maaza, 57, who has been displaced more than 12 times during the war, believes a loss for Netanyahu offers a better chance of returning to her home in Beit Lahiya. She said, “We have had enough of war and destruction,” noting that the suffering continues despite the physical damage already inflicted.

Manar Owaida, 23, and Mousa Ali, 33, both hope for a change in leadership but share a low expectation of dramatic policy shifts. Owaida, displaced in Gaza City’s Tal al-Hawa neighborhood, fears Netanyahu might start a wider regional war to relieve domestic political pressure. Ali, a father of four, emphasized the importance of the Yellow Line for displaced people’s return. He said, “We hope this policy will end and that a new prime minister will stop this ongoing bloodshed.”