A recent poll conducted in Gaza sheds light on the complex views of Palestinians towards Hamas, revealing a nuanced perspective on the military group's performance and political standing. According to the Palestinian Center for Policy and Survey Research, 62% of respondents expressed satisfaction with Hamas' performance during the recent conflict with Israel, a notable increase from the previous poll conducted in December.
However, the survey also indicated a decline in direct support for Hamas as a political entity. While 34% of respondents stated their support for Hamas in the March poll, this figure was lower than the 42% recorded in December.
Political scientist Khalil Shikaki, who led the poll, highlighted the distinction between supporting Hamas as a military force and endorsing its ideology. He explained that the higher satisfaction rate could be attributed to Hamas' perceived role in defending Palestinians against Israeli aggression, rather than explicit support for the party itself.
Shikaki emphasized that expressing approval for Hamas' actions did not necessarily translate to electoral support or alignment with the party's values. He noted a decrease in the number of Palestinians who shared Hamas' core beliefs compared to previous surveys.
Despite the challenges of conducting a poll amid a conflict, the Palestinian Center for Policy and Survey Research employed a rigorous methodology. The organization interviewed 750 individuals across 75 locations in Gaza, doubling the sample size to reduce the margin of error to +/- 3% given the unique circumstances of the region.
