Palestinians Reject Hamas Disarmament Before Full Israeli Gaza Withdrawal, Poll Finds
The Story
More than 70 percent of Palestinians oppose Hamas disarming before Israel completely withdraws from the Gaza Strip, according to a new survey published Wednesday by the Palestinian Center for Policy and Survey Research. The poll found 72 percent believe Israel would resume its genocide in Gaza and refuse to withdraw fully if Hamas surrendered its weapons. Even after Hamas accepted a proposal from Nickolay Mladenov, head of the US-backed "Board of Peace," 40 percent of respondents expect the current situation to continue, with some continued killings. Israel has rejected the US proposal. The survey also found 79 percent want Palestinian Authority (PA) President Mahmoud Abbas to resign, with 83 percent believing corruption exists within PA institutions. Marwan Barghouti remains the preferred successor to Abbas, receiving 39 percent support. On Thursday, a Palestinian was killed and others injured in an Israeli strike on Gaza City. The Israel Defense Forces carried out an airstrike in northern Gaza on Wednesday, targeting a Hamas commander planning attacks, marking the first reported Israeli airstrike in Gaza in over a week. Nickolay Mladenov clarified Sunday that the 15-point roadmap does not require an IDF pullback from the Yellow Line until Hamas's disarmament is verified sector by sector under American-led oversight. Mladenov denied claims Wednesday of a financial deal with Hamas, stating no such proposal was discussed. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu rejected the Trump-led Board of Peace's 15-point proposal on Sunday, insisting Israel would not withdraw its forces until Hamas is fully disarmed. Pakistan's Foreign Ministry spokesman Tahir Andrabi called Netanyahu's refusal to withdraw a serious setback to the Board of Peace decision, citing twin commitments of Hamas disarmament and Israeli evacuation. Hamas senior official Hussam Badran stated Wednesday that Hamas plans to run in the upcoming Palestinian Legislative Council elections on November 28 as part of a broad national coalition. A Jewish People Policy Institute poll found 58 percent of Israelis believe the Gaza Board of Peace plan will not change the situation.
The Spread
What they agree on
- A recent poll indicates that a majority of Palestinians oppose Hamas disarming before a full Israeli withdrawal from the Gaza Strip.
- Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu rejected the US-backed 15-point Gaza roadmap, stating Israel will not withdraw until Hamas is fully disarmed.
- The US-backed Board of Peace proposal links Israeli withdrawal from Gaza to the verified disarmament of Hamas.
- Hamas plans to participate in the upcoming Palestinian Legislative Council elections scheduled for November 28.
- Israeli forces conducted airstrikes in the Gaza Strip, targeting Hamas commanders and responding to immediate threats.
Where they split
- Middle East Eye focuses on Palestinian public opinion regarding Hamas disarmament, Israeli withdrawal, and the performance of the Palestinian Authority leadership.
- The Jerusalem Post and Jewish News Syndicate provide more detailed coverage of Israeli military actions in Gaza and the specifics of the US-backed peace plan, including clarifications from Nickolay Mladenov.
- France 24 includes an analyst's perspective, framing Netanyahu's rejection of the peace plan as a "diplomatic victory to Hamas."
- WAFA (Palestinian News Agency) provides a brief, direct report on a Palestinian killed and others injured in an Israeli strike on Gaza City.