Israel’s election will inevitably impact Gaza for Palestinians who have no vote

Palestinians in Gaza had no vote in Israel’s election. But its outcome will shape their future.

More than 74,000 people have been killed in Gaza since the Hamas-led October 7 attacks of 2023, with Israeli strikes a near daily occurrence, despite a nominal ceasefire agreed a year ago. Meanwhile, the humanitarian catastrophe continues to deepen, with severe food shortages, widespread displacement, and collapsing basic infrastructure.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s right-wing coalition and his main rival, Gadi Eisenkot, both centered their election pitches on ending Hamas rule there.

But for many in the enclave, who wins the election is moot. Here’s what three people in central Gaza told CNN.

Ahed Ferwana: “The programs announced by the Israeli parties — whether parties of Netanyahu’s camp or parties of the opposition — all agree that there will not be an independent Palestinian state. They will not withdraw from the Gaza Strip and will continue military campaigns both in the Strip and even in the West Bank, as is currently seen in the city of Hebron.

“Therefore, these elections are not expected to produce significant results in favor of the Palestinian cause, especially since Eisenkot recently said frankly that he might return to war on the Gaza Strip because there is no quicker option, as he puts it. … As for Netanyahu’s camp … it has been committed to the war for more than three years.”

Musa Ubeid: “I do not count on the right, nor the left, nor anyone in Israel, because they consider our children terrorists, so how can we want or count on any party? They are two sides of the same coin.”

Tareq Abu Eweimeh: “Trump and Netanyahu have one policy, which is wars and their continuation and bloodshed. Therefore their goals are united and they are walking on one path.”