Regional Voices: Loss binds families across divides, fueling a yearning for change.
Old Man Khalil sat sipping sweet tea outside his carpentry workshop in Beit Hanoun, Gaza. The scent of sawdust mingled with the ever-present dust from the rubble. “Another election in Israel,” he said, his voice raspy. “It doesn’t much matter to us here, does it? They all promise security, and we always pay the price.” But this time, something felt different. He’d heard whispers, even from neighbours sympathetic to Hamas, about this Eisenkot. A general, a man who’d seen war, losing his own son in Gaza. “Perhaps,” Khalil admitted slowly, “a man who truly understands loss might…think twice.”
Across the border, in a Tel Aviv coffee shop, Maya, a reservist called up after October 7th, echoed a similar sentiment. “Everyone is exhausted,” she said, stirring her iced coffee. “Exhausted with the fighting, exhausted with the politics. Eisenkot… he isn’t flashy. He speaks like someone who’s carried the weight of these decisions. My cousin’s husband volunteered with Eisenkot’s son. It’s a small country; these connections matter.”
Local Perspective
The mood across Israel and the Palestinian territories is thick with exhaustion and distrust. Israelis are grappling with deep questions about security failures and the future of the conflict, leading to unprecedented protests against Netanyahu. Many feel disillusioned with long-held political orthodoxies. In Gaza, the constant cycle of violence has bred a weary cynicism, but also a fragile hope that any shift in Israeli leadership might, just might, bring a change in course.
However, the hope is tempered. Palestinians express concern that Eisenkot’s hawkish stance and support for disproportionate responses, his association with the Dahiya Doctrine, doesn’t bode well. Many fear a continuation of the status quo, or even a deepening of the conflict, regardless of who leads Israel. There is a quiet desperation for a leader who demonstrably prioritises de-escalation and a genuine commitment to a lasting peace, something that feels increasingly distant.
The Bigger Picture
Eisenkot’s rise reflects a profound shift in the Israeli political landscape. The October 7th attacks shattered public confidence in Netanyahu’s leadership and exposed deep cracks within Israeli society. His emergence as a credible challenger speaks to a broader desire for accountability and a new security doctrine. Importantly, too, Eisenkot’s profile – a son of Moroccan immigrants – challenges the traditional elite dominance of Israeli politics and signals a potential realignment of power.
Meanwhile, Iran watches these developments closely. A change in Israeli leadership could influence the dynamics of the regional power struggle. A more hawkish leader, like Eisenkot, might heighten tensions, offering Iran justification for its continued support of proxies. A more conciliatory leader, though unlikely in the current climate, could open channels for indirect dialogue.
A Note of Hope
Despite the deep divisions and entrenched positions, the shared experience of loss – for both Israelis and Palestinians – is a simmering undercurrent. Eisenkot’s personal tragedy, and the empathy it has evoked, offers a tiny, fragile spark. It’s a reminder that beyond the political rhetoric and military strategies, individuals on both sides are simply grieving, yearning for safety, and desperate for a future where their children don’t have to live in the shadow of war. This shared humanity, however small, could pave the way for genuine dialogue, one day.
Source: Al-Monitor – “In Israel vote, ex-army chief emerges main rival to Netanyahu,” Gianluca Pacchiani and Jay Deshmukh, Jul 26, 2026.
