Majority of Israelis Advocate for Gaza Ceasefire and Hostage Exchange

As the conflict in Gaza extends into its ninth month, with humanitarian conditions worsening, a significant shift in Israeli public opinion is becoming evident.

A recent survey conducted by the Israel Democracy Institute reveals that 56% of Israelis now support a deal to release all hostages held by Hamas in exchange for a comprehensive ceasefire and the withdrawal of Israeli troops from Gaza.

The poll highlights a stark divide in perspectives between Israel’s Jewish and Arab populations. Among Arab Israelis, an overwhelming 88% back a comprehensive deal, while support among Jewish Israelis stands at a lower 50%.

Political orientation also plays a critical role in this debate. On Israel’s political left, a substantial 86% favor a full hostage-release agreement. Conversely, only 45% of those on the right support such a move, with many preferring a partial deal involving some hostages and a temporary ceasefire.

Despite the noticeable shift in public sentiment, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s hard-line government shows no inclination to deescalate its military campaign, which United Nations officials have described as a “targeted famine” against Gaza’s population of two million.

Since the major hostilities began last October, over 38,000 Palestinians, predominantly women and children, have been killed, with another 88,000 injured, according to Gaza health authorities.

Israel’s prolonged blockade and bombardment have devastated large areas of the densely populated enclave, severely limiting access to essential resources such as food, clean water, and medicine.

The United Nations and numerous international entities have accused Israel of committing severe human rights violations, which they argue amount to war crimes and genocide against Gaza’s civilians.

In December, South Africa took a significant step by filing a case against Israel at the International Court of Justice (ICJ), alleging violations of the UN Genocide Convention, a charge Israel fervently denies.

“The situation is deteriorating daily in Gaza,” stated Nambitha Dambuza, a Justice on South Africa’s Supreme Court of Appeal. She informed AFP that despite the ICJ’s directive for Israel to immediately cease operations in Rafah, where over a million had sought refuge before the city’s invasion in May, Israel’s offensive persists unrelentingly.

As internal pressure mounts in Israel to end the offensive and Gaza’s humanitarian crisis escalates, the spotlight is on the Netanyahu administration to determine if a policy shift will occur.

For the beleaguered population of Gaza, each day compounds their suffering as they anxiously await relief.