A wartime opinion poll among Palestinians published Wednesday shows a rise in support for Hamas, which appears to have ticked up even in the devastated Gaza Strip, and an overwhelming rejection of Western-backed President Mahmoud Abbas, with nearly 90% saying he must resign.
The findings by a Palestinian pollster signal more difficulties ahead for the Biden administration’s postwar vision for Gaza and raise questions about Israel’s stated goal of ending Hamas.
Washington has called for the West Bank-based Palestinian Authority to eventually assume control of Gaza and run both territories as a precursor to statehood.
Meanwhile, in an address on Wednesday, Hamas chief Ismail Haniyeh said any arrangement in Gaza without Hamas is a “delusion”. “We are open to discuss any ideas that could end the (Israeli) aggression and open the door for putting the Palestinian house in order both in West Bank and Gaza Strip.”