Palestinian Public Opinion Polls: Opinion on War in Gaza
Note: We are presenting raw data. We provide some or all of the crosstabs (i.e., breakdowns by various categories such as party ID) when available. To analyze the data, we encourage users to read the entire study and the methodology used. Sample size, question wording, and question order can affect results and reliability. Context and timing may also influence responses, for example, if the survey is conducted during a war. The question wording is not exact in polls in Arabic that are translated into English.
Gaza War - Operation Iron Sword/Al-Aqsa Flood
In your view, given what happened after it, was Hamas’s decision to launch its offensive against Israel on October 7 a correct or incorrect one? (PSR, November 22-December 2, 2023, March 5-10, 2024)
2023 | 2024 | |||||
WB | Gaza | Total | WB | Gaza | Total | |
Correct | 82% | 57% |
72%
|
71% | 71% | 71% |
Incorrect | 12% | 37% |
22%
|
16% | 23% | 19% |
DK/NA | 6% | 5% |
6%
|
13% | 6% | 10% |
Who is to blame for the current suffering of Gazans in the current war? (PSR, November 22-December 2, 2023, March 5-10, 2024)
2023 | 2024 | |
Israel |
52%
|
64% |
United States |
26%
|
20% |
Hamas | 11% | 7% |
The PA | 9% | 6% |
Did Hamas commit war crimes in the current war? (PSR, November 22-December 2, 2023, March 5-10, 2024)
2023 | 2024 | |||
WB | Gaza | Total | Total | |
Yes | 5% | 17% |
10%
|
5% |
Did you see videos shown by international news outlets showing acts committed by Hamas against Israeli civilians, such as the killing of women and children in their homes? (PSR, November 22-December 2, 2023, March 5-10, 2024)
2023 | 2024 | |
Yes |
14%
|
19% |
No | 85% | 80% |
In your opinion, in this war, who will emerge victorious, Hamas or Israel? (PSR, March 5-10, 2024)
2023 | 2024 | |||||
WB | Gaza | Total | WB | Gaza | Total | |
Hamas | 83% | 50% |
70%
|
69% | 56% | 64% |
Israel | 1% | 31% |
13%
|
3% | 19% | 9% |
Neither | 12% | 18% | 14% | 19% | 17% | 18% |
Did Hamas commit these atrocities? (PSR, November 22-December 2, 2023, March 5-10, 2024)
2023 | 2024 | |
Yes |
7%
|
5% |
If it is up to you, which of these would you prefer to see in control of the Gaza Strip? (PSR, November 22-December 2, 2023, March 5-10, 2024)
2023 | 2024 | |||||
WB | Gaza | Total | WB | Gaza | Total | |
Hamas | 75% | 38% |
60%
|
64% | 52% | 59% |
PA under Abbas | 1% | 16% | 7% | 6% | 19% | 11% |
PA national unity government without Abbas | 11% | 23% | 16% | 8% | 21% | 13% |
One or more Arab countries | 1% | 1% | 1% | |||
UN | 1% | 1% | 1% |
Which scenario would your prefer? (PSR, March 5-10, 2024)
2024 | |||
WB | Gaza | Total | |
Return of Hamas | 66% | 59% | 63% |
Return of the PA under Abbas | 9% | 33% | 18% |
Control by tribes/large families | 4% | 4% | 4% |
Establishment of multiple armed groups | 1% | 2% | 1% |
The establishment of a local authority formed by Israel | 1% | 2% | 1% |
Are you for or against an idea of a long-term vision for the day after in which the US and an Arab coalition comprising Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and Jordan would develop a plan that would strengthen the PA, restore negotiations based on the two-state solution, and bring about an Arab-Israeli peace and normalization? (PSR, March 5-10, 2024)
2024 | |||
WB | Gaza | Total | |
For | 14% | 36% | 23% |
Against | 80% | 61% | 73% |
Now I will ask you about a number of Palestinian actors and whether you are satisfied or dissatisfied with their performance in the current war? [Satisfied] (PSR, November 22-December 2, 2023, March 5-10, 2024)
2023 | 2024 | |||||
WB | Gaza | Total | WB | Gaza | Total | |
Hamas | 85% | 52% | 72% | 75% | 62% | 70% |
Yahya Sinwar | 81% | 52% | 69% | 68% | 52% | 61% |
Fatah Movement | 23% | 21% | 22% | 24% | 32% | 27% |
Mahmoud Abbas | 7% | 17% | 11% | 8% | 22% | 14% |
In the event of an Israeli invasion of Rafah would people rush to safety in Egypt? (PSR, March 5-10, 2024)
2024 | |
Yes | 40% |
No | 51% |
What is the likely behavior of the Egyptian army and police, on the other side of the border, when seeing masses of people rushing and crossing the border into Egypt? (PSR, March 5-10, 2024)
2024 | |
Egyptian army and police would shoot at those crossing the borders | 61% |
If you see people rushing toward the Egyptian border and the separation barrier between Egypt and Rafah falling, would you leave your home or shelter to seek safety in Egypt? (PSR, March 5-10, 2024)
2024 | |
Yes | 25% |
No | 69% |
DK | 6% |
In light of the current war conditions in the Gaza Strip and the ceasefire negotiations, what do you expect to happen in the coming weeks and months? (PSR, March 5-10, 2024)
2024 | |
Reaching a permanent ceasefire between Hamas and Israel | 40% |
Continuation of the war | 27% |
Expansion of the war and the entry of other regional or international parties more than now. | 25% |
DK/NA | 7% |
Attitudes toward South Africa’s case accusing Israel of genocide at the International Court of Justice. [% satisfied/agreeing] (PSR, March 5-10, 2024)
2024 | |
Satisfied with South Africa’s performance | 78% |
Satisfied with the court’s decision to accept the case but without asking Israel to abide by a ceasefire | 31% |
Do you expect the ICJ to eventually convict Israel of genocide | 37% |
If the ICJ convicts Israel of genocide, will this contribute to forcing Israel to end its occupation? | 23% |
Now I will ask you about several Arab and regional actors and whether you are satisfied or dissatisfied with their performance in the current war? [% satisfied] (PSR, November 22-December 2, 2023, March 5-10, 2024)
r | 2023 | 2024 |
Yemen |
80%
|
83% |
Qatar |
56%
|
56% |
Hezbollah | 49% | 48% |
Iran | 35% | 30% |
Jordan | 24% | 22% |
Egypt | 23% | 12% |
Now I will ask you about your satisfaction with the role of several international actors in the current war. [Satisfied] (PSR, November 22-December 2, 2023 )
2023 | 2024 | |
Russia | 22% | 19% |
UN | 6% | 7% |
USA | 1% | 1% |
If it is up to you, which of these would you prefer to see in control of the Gaza Strip? (PSR, November 22-December 2, 2023)
WB | Gaza | Total | |
Hamas | 75% | 38% |
60%
|
PA under Abbas | 1% | 16% | 7% |
PA national unity government without Abbas | 11% | 23% | 16% |
When will the war stop and who will win? (PSR, November 22-December 2, 2023 )
Total | |
A ceasefire in Gaza in the upcoming weeks |
50%
|
The war will continue for weeks and months | 25% |
Israel will unilaterally end the war and begin to withdraw under the pressure from the resistance | 20% |
Hamas and other resistance forces in Gaza will stop the fighting and withdraw to safer areas in the Gaza Strip | 2% |
Will Hamas return to rule over the Gaza Strip after the war despite Israel’s declared objective of eradicating that organization? (PSR, November 22-December 2, 2023 )
Total | |
Yes |
72%
|
No | 23% |
Do you think the recent talk about two-state solution in the U.S. and other Western countries is serious? (PSR, November 22-December 2, 2023 )
Total | |
Yes |
27%
|
No | 70% |
Why do you think Hamas waged the October 7 offensive? (PSR, November 22-December 2, 2023 )
WB | Gaza | Total | |
A response to settler attacks on Al-Aqsa Mosque and on Palestinian citizens and for the release of prisoners from Israeli prisons. | 89% | 69% |
81%
|
It was an Iranian plot to thwart Arab normalization with Israel | 5% | 27% |
14%
|
What are Isrsael's objectives in the current war? (PSR, November 22-December 2, 2023 )
Total | |
Destroy the Gaza Strip and kill or expel its population |
53%
|
Exact revenge against Hamas and the resistance and destroy them completely |
42%
|
Will Israel succeed in causing a second Nakba for the Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, as some Israeli minister called for? (PSR, November 22-December 2, 2023 )
Total | |
Yes |
24%
|
No |
73%
|
Will Israel succeed in its goal of eradicating Hamas and the resistance? (PSR, November 22-December 2, 2023 )
Total | |
Yes |
8%
|
No |
70%
|
It will only weaken Hamas and the resistance | 21% |
Will Israel succeed in expelling Gazans out of the Strip? (PSR, November 22-December 2, 2023 )
Total | |
Yes |
85%
|
No |
13%
|
Do you support or oppose the release, now before the end of the war, of the detained Israeli women and children among the civilians in the hands of the resistance groups, in return for the release of Palestinian women and children in the Israeli prisons? (PSR, November 22-December 2, 2023 )
Total | |
Support |
85%
|
Do you believe Gazans who left their homes during the war to safer areas will be able to return to these homes once the war stops? (PSR, November 22-December 2, 2023 )
Total | |
Yes |
71%
|
Oppose |
13%
|
Now I will ask you about your satisfaction with the role of a number of international actors in this last war. [Satisfied] (PSR, November 22-December 2, 2023 )
WB | Gaza | |
Russia | 17% | 28% |
China | 15% | 27% |
UN | 3% | 11% |
France | 2% | 10% |
Britain | 1% | 8% |
Germany | 0% | 17% |
USA | 0% | 1% |
How much do you support the military operation carried out by the Palestinian resistance led by Hamas on October 7th? (AWRAD, November 14, 2023)
WB | Gaza | Total | |
Extremely support | 68% | 47% |
59%
|
Somewhat support | 15% | 17% |
16%
|
Neither support nor oppose | 8% | 14% |
11%
|
Somewhat do not support | 3% | 8% |
5%
|
Extremely against | 4% | 13% |
7%
|
In your opinion, what was the main reason for the operation launched by the Palestinian resistance on 7th October? (AWRAD, November 14, 2023)
Total | |
To Free Palestine |
29% |
Breaking the siege on the Gaza Strip |
21% |
Stop the peace process |
1% |
Stop the settlement |
1% |
Serve Iran’s benefits |
5% |
Stop the violations of Aqsa | 33% |
Do you expect this war to end by: (AWRAD, November 14, 2023)
Total Expect | |
Peace agreement between Palestinian resistance and Israel |
32% |
Gaza returns to the control of the Palestinian Authority (Under the presidency of Abu Mazen) |
18% |
Victory achieves the liberation of Gaza from the Israeli invasion |
75% |
Israeli prisons are whitening from Palestinian prisoners |
79% |
Israeli victory (broader blockade of Gaza, escalation of settlement activity in the West Bank, and further restrictions on the Al-Aqsa Mosque and Christian holy sites |
17% |
Returning to the way things were before the war | 33% |
The war remains ongoing until the end of one of the parties | 24% |
Do you believe that the current conflict in Gaza is primarily between? (AWRAD, November 14, 2023)
Total | |
Israel and Hamas |
19% |
Israel and Palestinians in general |
64% |
Israel and the Islamic World |
5% |
Israel and the Arab World |
2% |
The Western World and the Arab and Islamic World |
9% |
The US and Western countries expressed a clear support for Israel in its confrontation with Palestinian resistance. Why do you think they did so? (AWRAD, November 14, 2023)
Total | |
As a sympathy with Israelian civilians |
70% |
Due to the influence of the Israeli lobby inside these countries |
92% |
Due to their hate of Muslims and Islam. |
90% |
Due to their hate of Arabs. |
86% |
The Western World and the Arab and Islamic World |
9% |
As a deterrent against Iran and Hezbollah and their fear of escalation against Israel | 77% |
Due to their political and economic interests in the region | 96% |
What would you like as a preferred government after the war is finished in Gaza Strip: (AWRAD, November 14, 2023)
Total | |
A government controlled by Hamas |
14% |
A government controlled by the Palestinian Authority |
8% |
A national unity government |
72% |
Do you think people around you will forget what Israel did in this war someday? (AWRAD, November 14, 2023)
Total | |
Yes |
2% |
No |
98% |
Do you think people around you will forgive what Israel did in this war someday? (AWRAD, November 14, 2023)
Total | |
Yes |
1% |
No |
98% |
Considering the ongoing events, do you feel a sense of pride as a Palestinian? (AWRAD, November 14, 2023)
Total | |
Yes |
98% |
No |
2% |
Do you believe that Palestine or Israel will emerge victorious from this war? (AWRAD, November 14, 2023)
Total | |
Palestine |
73% |
Israel |
3% |
None of them | 14% |
Operation Guardian of the Walls
How do you assess the position/performance during the May 2021 Gaza conflict? (AWRAD, June 14-17, 2021)
Positive | Fair | Negative | |
Hamas |
72%
|
18%
|
7%
|
Fatah |
18%
|
35%
|
44%
|
Arab countries |
14%
|
38%
|
45%
|
Mahmoud Abbas |
11%
|
24%
|
61%
|
EU |
5%
|
20%
|
70%
|
UN |
3%
|
13%
|
80%
|
USA |
2%
|
13%
|
81%
|
Who was the victor of the armed conflict in the May 2021 Gaza conflict? (AWRAD, June 14-17, 2021)
The Palestinians |
74%
|
Neither Israel nor the Palestinians |
22%
|
Israel |
3%
|
Who was the victor of the diplomatic war in the May 2021 Gaza conflict? (AWRAD, June 14-17, 2021)
The Palestinians |
82%
|
Neither Israel nor the P |
12%
|
Israel |
3%
|
Which party came out stronger after the May 2021 Gaza conflict? (AWRAD, June 14-17, 2021)
Hamas |
80%
|
Fatah |
4%
|
Islamic Jihad |
4%
|
None of the Palestinian parties |
11%
|
Don't know |
5%
|
Operation Cast Lead
Given the outcome of the Israeli operation in Gaza, do you believe Palestinians are better off, worse off, or about the same as they were before the operation? (Truman Research Institute/PCPSR, March 1-7, 2009)
Better off |
11%
|
Worse off |
71%
|
About the same |
17%
|
In the aftermath of the Israeli operation in Gaza, what do you expect will happen between the two sides? (Truman Research Institute/PCPSR, March 1-7, 2009)
They will return to negotiations and armed confrontations will stop |
11%
|
They will return to negotiations but some armed confrontations will continue |
50%
|
Thew will not return to negotiations and armed confrontations will not stop |
33%
|
Do you think that the Israeli aggression in the Gaza Strip was a reaction to the firing of rockets from the Strip? (An-Najah National University, February 1-2, 2009)
Yes |
28.6%
|
No |
69.1%
|
No opinion/don't know |
2.3%
|
Do you support military operations by Palestinian resistance factions after reaching a truce agreement with Israel? (An-Najah National University, February 1-2, 2009)
Yes |
39.9%
|
No |
57.4%
|
No opinion/don't know |
2.7%
|
Do you think that the PLO factions participated in the resistance during the war in Gaza? (An-Najah National University, February 1-2, 2009)
Yes |
71.1%
|
No |
21.5%
|
No opinion/don't know |
7.3%
|
Do you think that the war in Gaza strengthened Hamas in the West Bank? (An-Najah National University, February 1-2, 2009)
Yes |
57.7%
|
No |
32.6%
|
No opinion/don't know |
9.7%
|
Do you think that the reaction of the international public measured up to the catastrophe in the Gaza Strip? (An-Najah National University, February 1-2, 2009)
Yes |
63.0%
|
No |
31.2%
|
No opinion/don't know |
5.8%
|
Do you think that the Israeli aggression in the Gaza Strip increased the possibility of the separation of the Gaza Strip from the West Bank? (An-Najah National University, February 1-2, 2009)
Yes |
56.9%
|
No |
37.3%
|
No opinion/don't know |
5.7%
|
Do you think that the new US administration under Obama is serious in its endeavors to achieve peace in the Middle East? (An-Najah National University, February 1-2, 2009)
Yes |
24.0%
|
No |
62.5%
|
No opinion/don't know |
13.5%
|
Do you think that Hamas should accept a truce for one year and a half? (An-Najah National University, February 1-2, 2009)
Yes |
64.3%
|
No |
27.6%
|
No opinion/don't know |
8.2%
|
Do you think that the suggested truce will hold for long in the future? (An-Najah National University, February 1-2, 2009)
Yes |
20.0%
|
No |
68.7%
|
No opinion/don't know |
11.3%
|
Who is the biggest beneficiary from a truce between Israel and Hamas in the Gaza Strip? (An-Najah National University, February 1-2, 2009)
Israel |
34.1%
|
Hamas |
17.1%
|
Citizens of Gaza Strip |
43.0%
|
No opinion/don't know |
5.8%
|
How do you assess the media coverage of the war in the Gaza Strip? (An-Najah National University, February 1-2, 2009)
Good |
68.3%
|
Fair |
21.9%
|
Bad |
8.2%
|
No opinion/don't know |
1.5%
|
Who, in your opinion, won the the recent war in the Gaza Strip? (Palestinian Center for Public Opinion, An-Najah National University)
January 25-31, 2009
|
February 1-2, 2009
|
|
Israel |
10.5%
|
13.4%
|
Hamas |
34.1%
|
31.6%
|
Fateh |
1.3%
|
-
|
The Palestinian factions |
-
|
23.1%
|
Nobody |
54.1%
|
29.6%
|
No opinion/don't know |
-
|
2.3%
|
What do you think, after the Gaza war, would be the best solution for the Palestinian people? (Palestinian Center for Public Opinion, January 25-31, 2009)
To return to the negotiation tabel with Israel |
21.1%
|
To form a government of national unity |
46.0%
|
To conduct new presidential and PLC elections |
37.0%
|
To affiliate the Gaza Strip to Egypt |
1.2%
|
To call UN forces to take over the responsibility in the Gaza Strip |
3.7%
|
Who should, in your opinion, be held responsible for the recent war in Gaza? (Palestinian Center for Public Opinion, January 25-31, 2009)
Fateh |
7.6%
|
Hamas |
14.5%
|
Israel |
54.4%
|
Egypt |
4.8%
|
Iran |
4.8%
|
Syria |
0.7%
|
United States |
13.0%
|
European Union |
0.2%
|
What is your attitude to the firing of rockets at present on Israel from Gaza? (Palestinian Center for Public Opinion, January 25-31, 2009)
Strongly favor |
18.5%
|
Favor |
20.8%
|
Undecided |
33.5%
|
Oppose |
14.3%
|
Strongly oppose |
12.9%
|
To what extent do you think the militant resistance has fulfilled its task during the Israeli aggression on the Gaza Strip? (Palestinian Center for Public Opinion, January 25-31, 2009)
To a great extent |
40.1%
|
To a middle extent |
33.3%
|
To a small extent |
23.9%
|
I don't know |
2.7%
|
Do you think, after the war in Gaza, the following have lost or gained power? (Palestinian Center for Public Opinion, January 25-31, 2009)
Gained
|
Lost
|
|
Israel |
37.7%
|
35.3%
|
Hamas |
43.5%
|
26.8%
|
Fateh |
25.5%
|
22.3%
|
The Palestinian Authority |
22.9%
|
26.3%
|
Mahmoud Abbas |
21.3%
|
38.1%
|
Khaled Mish'al |
41.6%
|
30.3%
|