Poll shows Gazans want new leadership, not Hamas
A Palestinian research institute conducted a survey the first week after the ceasefire. More than half of those surveyed are convinced that the truce can hold. Only 5 per cent still want Hamas to run the territory.
Jerusalem (AsiaNews) – A recent survey by the Institute for Social and Economic Progress (ISEP) shows the fears and hopes of the people of Gaza after more than 500 days of war.
Notwithstanding the extreme methodological challenges in surveying and sampling respondents in the Palestinian territory, a crucial factor remains the fragile ceasefire signed by Israel and Hamas, whose first phase is set to expire shortly.
ISEP is an independent body dedicated to transforming the social, political and economic life of Palestinians and others in the region. It conducts cutting-edge social science research, through experimental projects and opinion polls with the public, civil society groups, and political leaders.
Its latest survey, in Gaza, was carried out in the last week of January with 400 adult respondents (15 and older) at 34 locations in Deir Al Balah and Khan Younis governorates. The reference is to the place of origin of participants since 80 per cent of Gaza’s two million people are displaced and 50 per cent of the territory is devastated.
The survey was carried out through opinions collected on the street among the displaced, face-to-face interviews with closed questions and a sampling quota.
Despite incidents and threats, the deal has stopped Israel’s war against Gaza, reviving some hope for a better future. In fact, more than 60 per cent of respondents believe “strongly” that “all” the agreed phases of the truce will hold, while 30 per cent are convinced that deal is “somewhat” stable.
Regarding the truce, two out of three Gazans (67.9 per cent), credit US President Donald Trump, followed by Qatar, Egypt and Hamas, while only 20 per cent attribute any credit to his predecessor in the White House, Joe Biden.
It should be noted that the survey was done before Trump met Israeli Prime Minister Benyamin at the White House where he started his campaign to turn Gaza into a Middle East “riviera”, a proposal reprised in another grotesque video released yesterday.
More significant is probably Gazans’ attitudes towards Hamas, the Islamic extremist movement that governs the Strip and whose attack on Israel on 7 October 2023 set off the terrible conflict that cost the lives of 48,000 Palestinians, as well as 1,200 Israelis.
Only 5 per cent of Gazans would still like to see Hamas rule the territory and only 12 per cent expect the group to still be in charge.
About 37.9 per cent want a unity government, while 32 per cent would choose Fatah and 24.1 per cent Arab forces. Overall, 40.3 per cent expect a unity government, 24 per cent a Fatah administration, and 22.6 per cent Arab forces.
The answers regarding future elections in Gaza are significant. About 60 per cent of respondents say they are ready to support candidates representing Fatah or independents, while candidates running with Hamas would get a measly 5 per cent of the vote.
The economy is a major issue since Gaza’s infrastructure is in total ruin and jobs unavailable. About 89 per cent of respondents say they have "no means" to rebuild their lives and 51 per cent say they are "not prepared" to take out loans to invest in reconstruction projects.
About 54 per cent would like to rebuild Gaza from scratch and build it "better" than it was before the war.
Finally, the vast majority blame criminal gangs and Israel for the loss of aid (with few pointing the finger at Hamas), a central issue and perhaps the main source of concern for Gazans today.
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