Nearly Half of Gazans Ready to Leave with Israel’s Help as Support for Hamas Plummets

Image of people gathering in the Gaza Strip.
(photo credit: Palestinian Center for Policy and Survey Research Screenshot)

| Published May 8, 2025

The survey also found that 48% of Palestinians in Gaza supported the series of anti-Hamas demonstrations that sprang up across the enclave.

A recent survey conducted by the Palestinian Center for Policy and Survey Research (PCPSR) reveals a significant shift in public sentiment within Gaza. According to the poll, 49% of Gazans expressed willingness to seek assistance from Israel to emigrate, highlighting the profound despair stemming from ongoing conflict, economic collapse, and Hamas’s governance.

The survey, conducted between May 1-4, 2025, also indicates that 48% of Gazans support recent anti-Hamas demonstrations, a notable increase compared to 14% support in the West Bank. However, 54% of Gazans believe these protests are influenced by external forces, possibly Israeli intelligence, and only 20% view them as genuine expressions of public opinion.

These findings emerge amidst severe humanitarian conditions in Gaza, including widespread destruction from Israel’s prolonged military campaign and a blockade that has drastically limited food supplies for the 2.3 million residents. While Israel has expressed willingness to facilitate voluntary emigration, efforts are hindered by a lack of interest from potential host countries.

The data underscores a growing inclination among Gazans to seek a better life elsewhere, pending international support and viable resettlement options.

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Pros and Cons of Nearly Half of Gazans Willing to Leave with Israel’s Help

Pros:

1. Potential for a Better Life:

   • Gazans who emigrate may find safer living conditions, better economic opportunities, and improved access to education and healthcare.

2. Reduced Humanitarian Crisis:

   • Emigration could alleviate pressure on Gaza’s overburdened infrastructure and limited resources.

3. Peaceful Resolution for Some:

   • Israel’s willingness to assist in voluntary emigration may provide a non-violent solution for those who wish to leave.

4. International Support Opportunity:

   • This situation could encourage other countries to offer asylum or resettlement for Gazans.

5. Weakened Hamas Influence:

   • Mass emigration may reflect diminishing support for Hamas, potentially pressuring the group to reconsider its governance approach.

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Cons:

1. Human Capital Drain:

   • Gaza could lose skilled and educated individuals, worsening its economic and social situation.

2. Exploitation Risks:

   • Gazans attempting to emigrate might become vulnerable to human trafficking or exploitation in host countries.

3. International Refugee Crisis:

   • Without sufficient host countries, large-scale emigration could create a new refugee crisis.

4. Possible Israeli Control Concerns:

   • Some critics may view Israel’s assistance as a method of ethnic displacement or demographic manipulation.

5. Weakening of Internal Resistance:

   • The departure of discontented citizens could reduce internal pressure for reform within Gaza.

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Conclusion

The survey indicating that nearly half of Gazans are willing to emigrate with Israel’s help highlights a profound sense of desperation among the population. This sentiment reflects not only the severe humanitarian conditions in Gaza but also widespread disillusionment with Hamas’s governance. While voluntary emigration may offer immediate relief to those seeking a better life, it also raises complex questions about human rights, demographic changes, and regional stability. For any long-term solution, a balanced approach is needed—one that respects the rights and aspirations of Gazans while addressing the underlying causes of their suffering. International cooperation will be essential to ensure that those who wish to leave can do so safely, without creating another refugee crisis.

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SOURCES: BREITBART – Nearly Half of Gazans Ready to Leave with Israel’s Help as Support for Hamas Plummets

THE JERUSALEM POST – Almost half of Gazans willing to leave enclave, Palestinian research center finds

REUTERS – Almost half of Gazans willing to leave, survey finds

THE NEW YORK POST – New poll shows nearly half of Gazans would leave if given opportunity

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