Tue Sep 17 23:59:22 UTC 2024: ## Gazan Support for Hamas Attack Wanes, Poll Shows
**GAZA CITY, PALESTINE -** A recent poll conducted by the Palestinian Center for Policy and Survey Research (PCPSR) reveals a significant drop in support among Gazans for Hamas’s decision to launch a deadly assault on Israel on October 7th.
The poll, conducted in early September, found that 57% of respondents in the Gaza Strip believe the attack was incorrect, while 39% still believe it was the right decision. This is the first time since the attack that a PCPSR poll has shown a majority of Gazans opposing the Hamas offensive.
Support for the attack also decreased in the West Bank, although 64% of respondents there still agreed with Hamas’s decision. Overall, 54% of respondents across both territories believe the attack was justified.
The poll comes amid accusations from the Israeli military that Hamas attempted to manipulate the results of previous PCPSR polls to portray a false image of widespread support. However, the PCPSR vehemently denied these claims, stating that an internal investigation found no evidence of data manipulation.
Despite the waning support for the October 7th attack, Hamas remains more popular than Fatah in both Gaza and the West Bank. The poll also revealed a slight decline in Gazan support for Hamas, dropping from 38% to 35%.
The findings suggest that the devastating consequences of the war, which left much of Gaza in ruins and resulted in thousands of casualties on both sides, may be playing a role in shifting public opinion.
The PCPSR poll serves as a stark reminder of the complex realities of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the ongoing challenges to achieving peace.
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