Israel Prepares for Elections Amid Gaza Humanitarian Crisis

Israel is preparing for national elections centered on the military objective of destroying Hamas following the October 7 attacks. Benjamin Netanyahu and his far-right coalition are campaigning on a platform of total victory, while Gadi Eisenkot, leader of the opposition Yashar party, currently leads in the polls. Both candidates support the peace plan proposed by Donald Trump and vow to end Hamas rule.

While Eisenkot pledges to restore the international standing of Israel, he has previously championed the Dahiya doctrine, which advocates for the use of overwhelming force in civilian areas. The Joint List, an Arab-led political party, has challenged this narrative through a campaign video highlighting the devastation in Gaza, stating that some behave as if the destruction of entire cities is completely normal.

Palestinians in Gaza report that their suffering has become campaign fodder for Israeli politicians who compete over toughness rather than humanitarian solutions. The territory is currently facing a severe food crisis as commercial deliveries have suspended and humanitarian aid dwindles, leaving displaced populations in dire sanitary conditions.