JERUSALEM – According to a recent poll conducted by the Israeli Broadcasting Authority, approximately 40% of Israelis endorse the ceasefire proposal announced by US President Joe Biden late last week, which he suggested could pave the way for a lasting peace in the Gaza Strip.
However, the survey revealed that nearly 27% of respondents oppose the proposed deal, while approximately 33% remain undecided.
Additionally, the poll found that around 42% of Israelis think that Hamas’s governance in the Gaza Strip cannot be eradicated, while 32% believe that Israel possesses the capability to do so.
Furthermore, the survey indicated that 55% of Israelis express support for expanding efforts to address Hezbollah in southern Lebanon.
The sample for the poll comprised 605 Israelis over the age of 18, with a margin of error slightly exceeding 4%.
Last Friday, Biden disclosed that Israel had presented a three-phase proposal aimed at ending hostilities in the Gaza Strip and securing the release of hostages held within the coastal enclave. He appealed to Hamas to consider the proposal and urged Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to resist pressure from certain members of his governing coalition who advocate rejecting the plan.
However, Netanyahu’s office reiterated on Friday his commitment to continue Israel’s offensive in Gaza until all war objectives are met.
In response, Hamas expressed willingness to engage positively with any proposal encompassing a permanent ceasefire, complete withdrawal from the Gaza Strip, reconstruction efforts, repatriation of displaced individuals, and comprehensive hostage exchange agreements.
Since October 7 last year, over 36,400 Palestinians have lost their lives in Gaza as a result of a lethal Israeli offensive initiated following a cross-border incursion by Hamas into Israel. The majority of casualties have been women and children, with more than 82,600 others sustaining injuries, according to local health authorities.
(el Amigo/Source:Anadulo/PNA)
