Gazans Turn Against Hamas Amidst Israel-Hamas Conflict; Biden Faces Base Divide

Wilson Center distinguished fellow James Jeffrey appears on ‘Fox News Live’ to discuss President Biden’s challenging situation with his base divided over the conflict between Israel and Hamas in Gaza, as a recent report reveals that Gazans are growing increasingly angry at Hamas due to the ongoing war causing immense suffering and devastation. Nassim, a civil servant from Gaza, has voiced her discontentment towards Hamas for not predicting Israeli’s response or considering the safety of the 2.3 million Gazan residents who have nowhere safe to go during this crisis. Another resident named Mohammed also expressed his frustration with Sinwar, the leader of Hamas responsible for planning the Oct. 7 terrorist attacks on Israel. According to Dr. Khalil Shikaki, director of Palestinian Center for Policy and Survey Research, support for Hamas is declining in Gaza as more people believe that the organization has some responsibility for their current pain and suffering during this war. The professor of political science Mkhaimar Abusada further added that Gazans are no longer afraid due to the catastrophic situation they find themselves in with death being a non-issue at present. Polls also indicate falling support for Hamas, as a Financial Times article quoting Khalil Shikaki highlighted – a decline by almost one quarter to 34 percent according to a poll taken during early March. The organization’s popularity has decreased not just in Gaza but the West Bank too with figures plummeting from 44 percent to 35 percent, as reported by Khalil Shikaki. Samia, who was forced to move to Rafah due to this conflict, expressed her discontentment towards Hamas’s role during these times – she believes that the organization should protect civilians rather than sacrificing them for resistance purposes. Multiple polls also indicate falling support for Hamas as residents suffer in their camps because of the catastrophic crisis happening within their borders.