Many Gazans were hostile to Hamas ahead of the group’s brutal October 7 attack on Israel, which killed dozens of civilians and soldiers. The assault was the deadliest on Israel in decades. It caused severe psychological trauma for Israelis, drawing comparisons to Pearl Harbor and September 11. Yet it was the latest in a series of attacks that shook the country.
The Islamist militant movement governs more than two million Palestinians in the Gaza Strip but is best known for its armed resistance to Israel. Hamas is viewed as one of the world’s most dangerous terrorist organizations by a host of countries, including the United States and the European Union. It is supported by Iran and sheltered by Turkey, which hosts some of its senior leaders. Its rival, Fatah, controls the Palestinian Authority in the West Bank and is seen as more secular and moderate.
Despite its militancy, Hamas claims to be a national liberation movement that reflects the values of its religion, which upholds truth, justice, and freedom and discourages oppression based on religion, race, or sectarian identity. Its leadership bodies set general policy, but local committees manage grassroots issues in the enclave and beyond. Hamas’ political chief, Ismail Haniyeh, has replaced longtime leader Khaled Meshaal in recent years and operates from exile in Qatar, where he established a headquarters after Egypt restricted his travel into Gaza.
Some people described Hamas’ rule as a second occupation, with many blaming the group for economic hardship and corruption. Others praised it for its defense of Palestinian rights and holy sites, particularly the Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem. Some also view it as a protector of their security, especially as they face Israel’s relentless bombardment, which has killed hundreds and wounded thousands since the start of the war in Gaza on October 7.
A large majority of those polled expressed support for the idea that the Palestinian Authority of President Mahmoud Abbas sends PA administration and security officials to Gaza, with Hamas handing over its separate armed units. That proposal is not new and has consistently had overwhelming support in past polls, but it has become more popular after the war.
The survey, conducted by US-Palestinian researcher Jamal Joseph and her team at Arab Barometer, interviewed more than 1,000 Palestinians in the Gaza Strip and West Bank from September 27 to October 6, with a margin of error of 3 percentage points. Respondents were asked several questions about governance, their social and religious beliefs, and their opinions of various groups, including Hamas, Fatah, and the Palestinian Authority. They were also asked whether they thought their government was corrupt and if they were willing to fight in a war against Israel. The results show the deep divisions that persist between Hamas and ordinary Palestinians, who are seeking to establish a state that would encompass the Gaza Strip, West Bank, and East Jerusalem. Several polled people said they hoped to see Fatah and Hamas working together.
