Some Palestinians displaced in Gaza hope Israel’s Tuesday election could ease restrictions and allow them to return home, but interviewees told Al Jazeera and The Guardian they expect little change.
The Central Elections Committee lists the vote for the 26th Knesset for Tuesday, Oct. 27. The ballot elects lawmakers; voters do not choose a prime minister directly. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu faces opposition that includes former military chief Gadi Eisenkot, chairman of Yashar! and a former member of Netanyahu’s wartime Cabinet.
Al Jazeera interviewed Mohammed Eliyan, who was displaced from Jabalia to Deir el-Balah. Eliyan said he wanted Netanyahu to lose but doubted a successor would significantly change Israeli policy. “We hope someone else might be less harsh than Netanyahu,” he told the outlet. Other residents interviewed by Al Jazeera raised the possibility of returning to areas beyond the “Yellow Line.”
The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said Oct. 2 that access restrictions affected 65% of Gaza’s land. OCHA said Israeli airstrikes, shelling and gunfire continued during its Sept. 29–Oct. 12 reporting period. It also cited reports that Israeli forces shifted “Yellow Line” markers westward near Ash Shuja'iyyeh junction in Gaza City on Oct. 11.
The Shelter Cluster estimates 1.98 million people need shelter or household-item assistance, OCHA reported. The agency said damaged infrastructure, supply shortages, funding gaps and limited access to suitable land are impeding shelter and relocation work. It counted 950,000 displaced people at sites with medium to high flood risk, including more than 400,000 at high risk.
In separate interviews with The Guardian, Gaza residents also expressed limited expectations of change. “Whether Netanyahu wins or loses, the reality here will not change,” Noor AlMoghanni told the newspaper.
The Central Elections Committee schedules publication of the results for Nov. 4. Israel’s president will then consult parliamentary groups and assign a lawmaker to form a government. The outgoing government will remain in office until a successor takes over.
