In a seismic shift that underscores the growing disillusionment among the people of Gaza, a newly released poll by the Palestinian Institute for Social and Economic Progress (ISEP) has unveiled a dramatic decline in support for Hamas, the ruling militant faction. The survey results paint a picture of a population eager for change, desperate for stability, and increasingly convinced that Hamas has lost all legitimacy in determining the future of the Gaza Strip.
Hamas’ Grip on Power Crumbles
The most striking finding of the poll is that a meager 6% of Gazans believe Hamas should continue to operate once the ongoing war with Israel concludes. This staggering collapse in confidence signals a widespread repudiation of the terrorist organization’s leadership. Even more damning, a commanding 70% of respondents stated that Hamas no longer has the authority to control the situation or dictate the next steps for the war-ravaged territory.
Further compounding Hamas’ woes, only 5.3% of respondents said they would support Hamas in a future election—a figure that lays bare the militant group’s crumbling political relevance. The once ironclad grip of Hamas over Gaza is being pried open by a population that has endured years of hardship, corruption, and mismanagement at the hands of the organization.
#Gazans credit #Trump for #ceasefire, reject #Hamas rule in #Gaza, new poll finds
— C. MICHEL WEINBERG 🇫🇷🇪🇺✡️ (@CMichelW) March 2, 2025
70% of Gazans believe that Hamas does not have the power to 'control the situation,' the poll found. https://t.co/MJ0MDvUQQN #Hamasterrorists #Islamists #Palestinians
Fatah Surges in Popularity as Gazans Demand Change
The vacuum left by the Islamist Hamas’ decline appears to be filling with increased support for Fatah, the secular Palestinian nationalist and social democratic political party. According to the survey, Fatah’s popularity surged by 12 percentage points following the latest ceasefire agreement, signaling a shift toward more moderate governance.
Furthermore, over half of those polled expressed a strong desire to rebuild Gaza to a better state than before—a goal that appears increasingly incompatible with Hamas’ continued rule.
Aid Diversion Scandal: Hamas in the Hot Seat
The revelations from the poll didn’t stop at political preferences; they also exposed deep-seated frustration over Hamas’ mishandling of humanitarian aid. A shocking 44.1% of Gazans blamed Hamas entirely for the diversion of international aid, while two-thirds of respondents acknowledged that aid diversion remains a major crisis in Gaza.
This underscores a growing awareness among Gazans that the economic devastation they face is not solely the result of external factors, but rather the direct consequence of Hamas’ corrupt practices and prioritization of its military ambitions over the needs of the people.
U.S. Leadership and the Ceasefire Deal: Trump’s Role Acknowledged
One of the most unexpected takeaways from the poll was the acknowledgment of the role played by former U.S. President Donald Trump in brokering the latest ceasefire agreement. A staggering 58% of respondents believed that a lasting hostage-ceasefire deal could only be achieved under the administration of President Trump. Moreover, 65% of respondents gave a positive evaluation of Washington’s role in the ceasefire negotiations, and 63% credited Trump’s election and inauguration as a key factor in reaching the agreement.
Do you approve of Trump’s handling of the conflict between Russia and Ukraine?
— Politics & Poll Tracker 📡 (@PollTracker2024) March 2, 2025
Approve 51%
Disapprove 49%
Do you approve of Trump’s handling of the conflict between Israel and Hamas?
Approve 53%
Disapprove 47% https://t.co/6YPiMnPKE3
Optimism on the Rise Despite Hardships
Despite the destruction and political turmoil, Gazans are not without hope. A separate survey conducted by the Arab World Center for Research and Development (AWRAD) last month found that 60% of Gazans remain optimistic about the future. Furthermore, 56% believe that Palestinian society is moving in the right direction, signaling a potential shift towards new leadership and governance that prioritizes the well-being of civilians over ideological extremism.
Methodology and Scope of the Poll
The ISEP poll was conducted using quota sampling, surveying 400 respondents from 34 pre-war locations in the Deir Al Balah and Khan Younis governorates. Participants were aged 15 and older, ensuring a broad cross-section of public opinion from various demographics.
Their 'opinion' would turn on a dime...
— Rita Rosenfeld (@rheytah) March 2, 2025
Only 6% of Gazans want Hamas to continue ruling Gaza after the war ends, and 5.3% state that they would vote for Hamas again in a future election, according to a new poll published by the Palestinian Institute for Social and Economic… pic.twitter.com/WxcnmOzere
Conclusion: A New Dawn for Gaza?
With Hamas hemorrhaging support at an unprecedented rate, Fatah gaining traction, and Gazans voicing an urgent demand for governance that prioritizes reconstruction and stability, the political landscape of Gaza appears to be on the precipice of a profound transformation. If these polling trends hold, the post-war era may usher in a new chapter—one where Hamas is relegated to history, and Gaza begins the long road toward recovery and renewal.
