Palestinian Public Opinion on War, Leadership, Peace, and Future Prospects: Insights from PCPSR Poll No. 96 (October 2025)

The Palestinian Center for Policy and Survey Research (PCPSR) conducted its 96th poll from October 22-25, 2025.  

It surveyed 1,200 adults: 760 in the West Bank and 440 in Gaza.  

Humanitarian Crisis and War Perceptions

- In Gaza, 87% report access to food for a day or two (up from 47% five months ago).  

- 72% have family members killed (51%) or injured (63%).  

- Displacement: 31% moved 2-3 times, 36% 4-6 times, 13% 7-10 times.  

- Blame for suffering: Israel (54%), US (24%), Hamas (14%, down from 21%).  

- 86% reject claims of Hamas atrocities against Israeli civilians on October 7.  

- Support for Hamas's October 7 decision: 53% overall (59% West Bank, 44% Gaza; up 7 points in Gaza).  

- Expectations of Hamas victory: 39% (48% West Bank, 27% Gaza); 29% in Gaza anticipate Israeli win.

Political Landscape and Leadership

- Party support: Hamas 35%, Fatah 24%, unaffiliated 32%.  

- Hypothetical legislative elections: Hamas 44% (49% Gaza, 40% West Bank), Fatah 30% (32% Gaza, 29% West Bank).  

Satisfaction rates:  

  - Hamas: 60% (66% West Bank, 51% Gaza).  

  - Fatah: 30% (25% West Bank, 39% Gaza).  

  - PA: 29% (23% West Bank, 38% Gaza).  

  - Abbas: 21% (16% West Bank, 29% Gaza).  

- 80% demand Abbas's resignation (83% West Bank, 73% Gaza).  

- PA views: Corrupt (80%, 92% West Bank, 61% Gaza), a burden (56%).  

Presidential preferences:

• Marwan Barghouti wins 49% in three-way race vs. Khalid Mishal (36%) and Abbas (13%); turnout 68%.  

External actors satisfaction:

• Yemen's Houthis (74%, 84% West Bank, 60% Gaza), Qatar (52%), US/Trump (6%).  

Insecurity in West Bank: 85% feel unsafe (up from 48% two years ago).

Trump Plan and Ceasefire Attitudes

- Awareness of Trump Plan: 71% (75% West Bank, 65% Gaza).  

- Support when framed as Arab/Islamic: 47% (59% Gaza, 39% West Bank).  

- Support for Hamas's response: 62% (65% West Bank, 56% Gaza).  

- Satisfaction with prisoner exchange list: 69% (76% West Bank, 59% Gaza).  

- Doubts: 62% doubt permanent end to war (67% West Bank, 54% Gaza); 70% see no Palestinian state in five years (79% West Bank, 66% Gaza).  

- Opposition to disarming Hamas: 69% (78% West Bank, 55% Gaza).  

Gaza's future preferences:  

• Palestinian-led expert committee under international auspices: 67%.  

• PA control: 33%.  

• Oppose armed Arab force: 68% (78% West Bank, 52% Gaza).  

• Post-ceasefire: 65% want elections within a year (72% West Bank, 54% Gaza); 60% doubt PA's intent.

Paths to Resolution and Regional Priorities

- Support for two-state solution: 45% (up from 40% last year, driven by Gaza).  

- 56% deem it impractical due to settlements.  

- Demilitarized state: 44% (61% Gaza, 33% West Bank).  

Preferred way to end occupation:  

• Armed struggle: 41% (49% West Bank, 30% Gaza).  

• Negotiations: 36%.  

• Peaceful resistance: 19%.  

  
  

- Top goals: Ending occupation and state-building (41%), right of return (32%).  

- Pressing issues: Occupation (43%), Gaza war (22%), settler attacks (12%).  

- On settler violence: 75% say Israeli army supports attacks; 93% note PA security absence post-incident.  

Media:

• 58% watch Al Jazeera (74% West Bank, 34% Gaza).