Feature: Gaza youths vote for better living and less hardship

26-year-old Gaza young man Muhanad al-Sheikh seems very much enthusiastic to cast his vote in the Palestinian municipal elections scheduled on October 8 in the Palestinian territories.

The last municipal elections held in the West Bank and Gaza took place in 2005. At that time al-Sheikh was only 15 and didn't have the right to vote.

"Now I have the right and I will choose the people to represent me in the municipal councils," he told Xinhua.

Although excited to vote in the upcoming elections, al-Sheikh said he didn't believe that electing a new municipal council would improve the hard living conditions in the impoverished Gaza Strip.

The narrow coastal enclave has been put under a tight Israeli blockade since 2007 right after the Islamic Hamas movement's violent takeover of the territory. Since then, rates of poverty and unemployment have been growing high.

"There is a horrible economic and humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip. Holding the municipal elections is good, but it won't improve the deteriorating situation in Gaza," said al-Sheikh.

According to him, Gaza has been the largest prison in the world in the past ten years.

"Lifting the siege and ending the internal split between Hamas and Fatah would certainly help ending this endless horrible situation," said he.

On June 21, the Palestinian government decided to hold the municipal elections in all Palestinian territories on October 8. Hamas won the last elections held more than a decade ago.

Israel didn't accept the results of the elections and imposed an embargo on any government Hamas would form, besides asking Hamas to recognize Israel and give up violence.

However, Hamas refused those requirements and formed the first unity government in 2006. In the summer of 2007, Hamas seized control of the Gaza Strip after defeating the security forces loyal to Fatah leader Mahmoud Abbas.

Looking forward to the coming elections, al-Sheikh expressed hope that the elections would be a better opportunity to improve the lives of Gaza youths. Graduated from a local college, al-Sheikh has been unemployed for three years.

"I hope that rates of unemployment and poverty among young people would decrease soon," he said.

Hatem E'lleyan, another Gaza young man in his mid 20s, agreed with al-Sheikh and expressed hope that the elections would serve the interests of the local population. E'lleyan sells hot drinks along the Gaza seaside.

"I don't know if I will go to vote in the municipal elections, I haven't decided yet, but I believe that holding the elections is a good step that may change our bad situation," said E'lleyan.

Living in poverty, siege and lack of hope, many Gaza young people are seriously considering leaving home for a better life.

"I believe that holding the elections, and starting with the municipal elections can be an introduction to help the youths change their mind," said Hani Habib, a Gaza-based political analyst.

The Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics said in a report that Palestinians aged between 15 and 29 years old represent 30 percent of the population.

According to the report, around 40 percent of the young people said they will participate in any elections held in the future. Around 29 percent of the youths said they won't participate.

Hisham Kuhail, executive director of the Palestinian Central Elections Commission, said till now Gaza youths between the age of 15 to 29 is the group with highest registration rate for the coming elections. Endit