Palestinian support for Hamas’s October 7th invasion of Israel has risen, with 44% of Gazans now viewing the terrorist attack as “correct,” up seven points since May. In Judea and Samaria, backing for the deadliest single-day massacre of Jews since the Holocaust remains at 59%.
On October 7th, 2023, the terror group Hamas invaded Israel, killing approximately 1,200 civilians, wounding thousands, and kidnapping 251—a brutal attack initially condemned worldwide (prior to backsliding in European capitals).
The poll, conducted by the Ramallah-based Palestinian Center for Policy and Survey Research (PCPSR) between October 22nd and 25th, involved 1,200 Palestinians. It found that 41% favor “armed struggle”—a reference to terrorist activity—as the most effective means to achieve statehood.
A majority of respondents (62%) expressed support for Hamas accepting the peace plan advanced by U.S. president Donald Trump, with greater approval in Judea and Samaria (65%) than Gaza (56%). Many respondents (69%) were also satisfied with the release of Hamas terrorists from Israeli prisons under the ceasefire, including 250 serving life sentences for deadly attacks.
The survey showed broad opposition to disarming Hamas (69%) or having Gaza led by a technocratic Palestinian committee (53%). If elections were held, 44% would vote for Hamas in legislative polls, while 41% said Hamas is “most deserving” of representing Palestinians today.
On October 9th, two years after the massacre, Hamas agreed to a U.S.-brokered peace deal, mediated by Egypt, Qatar, and Turkey, described by the White House as “a Strong, Durable, and Everlasting peace.” The agreement includes a ceasefire, the release of hostages, and the entry of humanitarian aid into Gaza.
