Full Breakdown
Israeli Election 2026: Palestinian Perspectives Amid Ongoing Conflict
By Drooid · · How we work
In this breakdown
01
Core Event – Election and Parallel Military Operations
Israel held a parliamentary election in October 2026, pitting long-time prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu against former army chief Gadi Eisenkot. While voters cast ballots, Israeli forces intensified operations in the occupied West Bank, sealing off Hebron and forcibly evacuating thousands of residents. Gaza continued to endure Israeli airstrikes that killed civilians and damaged infrastructure, leaving Palestinians doubtful that any political shift could ease daily hardship.
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Palestinians are opening their doors to the displaced of besieged Hebron
02
Background & Context
The election follows the October 7 2023 Hamas attack, which triggered a three-year war in Gaza and a surge in settlement activity across the West Bank. A ceasefire took effect in 2025, yet the United Nations Independent International Commission of Inquiry has repeatedly described Israel’s actions in Gaza as “genocide” and its West Bank policies as “crimes against humanity.” Settlement expansion and settler-related violence have become entrenched features of the occupation, shaping the political calculus of the election.
03
Timeline
- October 7 2023 – Hamas attack; war in Gaza begins.
- October 13 2023 – General Yair Golan advocates cutting electricity to Gaza.
- July 7 2026 – Israeli demolition operation in Nablus reported.
- October 23-24 2026 – Night-time evacuation orders in Hebron’s Ein Deir Baha and al-Jalda neighborhoods.
- October 29 2026 – Israeli strikes kill six Palestinians in Gaza. [[aa source]]
- October 27 2026 – Palestinian candidate Mansour Abbas votes in the election.
- November 5 2026 (scheduled) – World Travel Market in London to feature a stand for the Jerusalem Development Authority.
04
Official Statements & Responses
- “It’s already clear that Likud and Netanyahu have embarked on a coordinated, organised campaign seeking to delegitimise the results of the election,” — General Gadi Eisenkot.
- The Likud party warned that foreign interference attempts justify rejecting cooperation with Arab parties.
- Naim Qassem, representing Hezbollah, said the resistance will continue until Israel ends its occupation.
05
Criticism & Opposition
Palestinian residents expressed deep skepticism. Huda al-Houli, displaced from Khan Younis, said, “We fear these elections could bring an even worse leader.” Ahmed Awad echoed that “no radical or dramatic shift” is expected regardless of the winner. Yousef Munayyer emphasized that settler violence is “structural” and not dependent on which party governs. Volker Turk, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, warned that the Hebron operation raises “serious concerns of ethnic cleansing.”
06
On-the-Ground Reports
Hebron residents reported forced night evacuations, with families like Fahed Ahmaro describing blown-up gates and destroyed furniture. In Gaza, separate Israeli strikes on 29 October 2026 killed six civilians, including four government employees at an Economy Ministry post in al-Mawasi.
07
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Casualty figures for the 29 October 2026 Gaza strikes differ: one source cites six deaths, another earlier report mentioned four. The Israeli army claimed evacuations were “voluntary,” whereas Palestinian testimonies assert they were forced under threat.
08
What’s Next
With no clear majority, coalition negotiations are expected to continue into the coming weeks, determining whether Eisenkot or Netanyahu will form the next government. International bodies have called for investigations into alleged war crimes, and the scheduled World Travel Market in early November will spotlight Israel’s tourism promotion amid the controversy. The humanitarian situation in Gaza and Hebron remains acute, and further UN or ICC actions could influence Israel’s diplomatic standing.