By Sally Ibrahim

 

ISRAELI OCCUPIED GAZA, 22 August. - (ANA) - Over the past two days, intense Israeli bombardment struck several areas of the Gaza Strip and killed at least 15 Palestinians, including six police and security officials.

 

Having endured years of war, bombardment, and killings, Gaza residents fear another war looms as Israel's elections, scheduled for 27 October, inch closer.

 

Several Palestinians link the renewed violence by Israel to political pressures on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu related to these upcoming elections.

 

"Whenever the bombing subsides, we remain waiting for it to resume, because we have become accustomed to this pattern over the past years," Samir Abu Jarad, a father of three from Gaza City, told The New Arab. 

 

Abu Jarad believes the approaching elections are adding to the anxiety among Palestinians.

 

"They know that Netanyahu wants to stay in power and might use Gaza to project an image of strength to the Israeli public," he said. "We don't want our blood to be used as a tool for any politician's success."

 

Sami Salim, who lives in a tent on Gaza City's beach, told TNA that the Palestinians had "become accustomed to paying the price every time there are political calculations within Israel".

 

"We just want to live, raise our children and feel safe. But whenever elections approach, or a crisis occurs in Israel, we fear that Gaza will be the place to pay the price," Salim remarked.

 

 

 

 

The 2026 Israeli elections will test Netanyahu, seeking another term after a long tenure.

 

He enters the campaign amid stiff competition from political figures like ex-army chief Gadi Eisenkot, ex-PMs Naftali Bennett and Yair Lapid, and ex-defence minister Avigdor Lieberman.

 

An Israeli Broadcasting Corporation poll placed Netanyahu's Likud and Eisenkot's Yesh Atid on 23 seats each, while Bennett's Ma'an alliance was projected to win 14 seats.

 

The figures highlight uncertainty over the next coalition and Netanyahu's challenge to keep his right-wing base and stop rivals from forming an alternative government.

 

Palestinian analysts see political uncertainty as significant because security remains a key issue in Israel's election, keeping Gaza central to domestic politics amid ongoing ceasefire efforts.

 

Gaza-based analyst Ahed Ferwana told TNA that "the recent escalation's timing is linked to Israel's internal politics."

 

"Netanyahu appears reluctant to fulfil conditions for the second phase of the Gaza agreement, especially with elections approaching," he said.

 

"Polls show he lacks enough seats to guarantee his political survival, possibly prompting escalation to boost his reputation and secure seats for the next stage," he added.

 

Israel seems intent on maintaining a pattern of ongoing military action and escalation, possibly expanding the so-called "yellow line," according to Ferwana.

 

This strategy might prevent progress toward the second phase and avoid political pressure for concessions.

 

Ferwana warned that prolonged calm could be politically harmful for Netanyahu if opponents exploit it to suggest he failed to achieve the promised decisive victory in the war.

 

"His support has declined in polls, but the decline relates to broader issues beyond Netanyahu's electoral prospects, including future political and security arrangements in Gaza," he explained.

 

He noted that targeting Palestinian police and security forces sends a message beyond typical security operations, aiming to create chaos in Gaza and prevent the formation of civilian or security structures to govern later.

 

"By attacking security forces," he said, "Israel aims to eliminate chances of establishing Gaza's governance and delay the next phase, including withdrawal, ceasefire, crossing openings, and reconstruction, serving Netanyahu's interests."

 

 

 

 

Despite Israeli polls suggesting Netanyahu's coalition might struggle to form a government, opposition forces aligned with Gadi Eisenkot could form a government through alliances, Arab support, or outside parties, according to Ramallah-based political analyst Esmat Mansour.

 

"This coalition has exhausted itself," Mansour told TNA, pointing to mounting challenges facing Israel over the economy, society, international relations, West Bank policies, settlements and security.

 

However, he cautioned against viewing the elections simply as a contest to replace Netanyahu.

 

"A change in government does not solve our problems," he said, although it could give Palestinians greater political room to manoeuvre.

 

Mansour noted that some policies are closely associated with Netanyahu and far-right ministers Bezalel Smotrich and Itamar Ben-Gvir.

 

Their departure could lead to changes in settlement policy, the occupied West Bank, policing and the economy, he said, but would not necessarily mean Israel would become more willing to pursue a political solution to the conflict.

 

The latest violence by Israel, which killed at least 15 Palestinians over two days, including six police and security officials, exposed the fragility of the ceasefire. It also reinforced fears that deterioration in Israel's political or security environment can lead to renewed violence in Gaza.   - (ANA) -

 

AB/ANA/22 August 2026 - - -