Hamas Popularity Drops Significantly in Gaza and West Bank, Poll Finds
Translated & summarized from Makor Rishon by baba
A new poll by Dr. Khalil Shikaki reveals a significant drop in Hamas support among Palestinians, with only 19% identifying with the group as of October 2026. Support has fallen in both Gaza (to 27%) and the West Bank (to 13%), reversing gains made after the October 7th attacks. Support for armed struggle has also decreased, while preference for negotiations has risen. A joint Hamas-Dahlan list received 20% in a hypothetical poll, with a list focused on economic improvement gaining surprising traction.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- Hamas support has fallen to 19% among Palestinians three years into the war, a poll found.
- Gaza support for Hamas dropped to 27%, down from 38% before the war.
- West Bank support for Hamas is at 13%, returning to pre-war levels.
- Support for armed struggle has declined, while preference for negotiations has increased.
- A joint Hamas-Dahlan list garnered 20% in a hypothetical Palestinian Authority election poll.
- A list focused on economic improvement by Bashar Masri received 22% support.
Three years after the October 7th war began, Hamas's popularity has significantly declined among Palestinians, according to a poll conducted by veteran Palestinian pollster Dr. Khalil Shikaki. The survey, released on October 7, 2026, found that only 19% of Palestinians identify with the organization, a low not seen since the war's inception. This marks a substantial decrease from the 43% support Hamas enjoyed two months after the October 7th attacks, and a slight drop from the 22% support in September 2023, prior to the war. The IDF's determined three-year campaign is cited as a factor in this decline.
Regional differences in support are notable. In the West Bank, support for Hamas stands at 13%, a return to pre-war levels. In Gaza, however, the situation is more dramatic, with 27% supporting Hamas, an 11% decrease from the 38% who supported it just before the war.
Dr. Shikaki's poll also documented a decline in support for terrorist actions as a means to achieve Palestinian goals. Before the war, 51% of Gazans favored armed struggle; this figure dropped to 21% by August, likely due to the war's impact. While support for armed struggle in Gaza rose to 37% in October, it has consistently fallen in the West Bank from a high of 68% after the attacks to 29% currently, down from 54% pre-war.
Conversely, support for negotiations as a means to end the occupation and establish a Palestinian state has surged among all Palestinians, from 20% before the war to 42% today. Hypothetical polls showed a drop in willingness to vote for Hamas from half of Palestinians at the war's start to 29% in the summer. In the first non-hypothetical poll regarding actual Palestinian Authority lists, a joint Hamas-Mohammed Dahlan list garnered 20% of the vote, being most popular in Gaza (30%) and least in the West Bank (7%), where Marwan Barghouti is preferred.
A surprising 22% support was registered for a list focused on economic improvement led by businessman Bashar Masri, surpassing both Hamas-Dahlan and Fatah. The poll was released amidst speculation of elections, though Palestinian Authority President Abu Mazen announced a postponement until September 2027, returning polls to a hypothetical status.