Almost Half of Israelis Skeptical About Winning the War Against Hamas

In a recent survey, nearly half of Israelis expressed skepticism about the effectiveness of military force in defeating Hamas in Gaza. The poll highlights the complexities surrounding the ongoing conflict and the challenges of securing the release of hostages.

The survey, conducted by the Viterbi Family Center for Public Opinion and Policy Research, which is renowned for its extensive database of Israeli public opinion, revealed some intriguing findings:

• 49% of respondents believe that it is impossible to both secure the release of hostages and remove Hamas from power.
• 46% of participants are either confident or believe that both objectives can be achieved.
• A significant 68% of Israelis prioritize the recovery of hostages over the removal of Hamas, with only 25% focusing on the latter.

This trend indicates a growing emphasis on hostage recovery over time. Comparing results from previous surveys conducted in January 2025 and September 2023, there is a noticeable increase in support for securing the release of hostages, while the support for removing Hamas continues to decline.

Currently, there are approximately 59 Israeli captives still held in Gaza. Israeli military estimates indicate that around 35 of these captives may have lost their lives amid ongoing bombardments and the siege of the Gaza Strip.

In a recent statement, Abu Obeida, the spokesperson for the al-Qassam Brigades (the military wing of Hamas), emphasized the urgency of negotiations for the hostages’ release: “If the enemy is truly concerned about the lives of these hostages, they must negotiate immediately for their release or evacuation. Consider this a final warning.”

Obeida criticized Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu‘s government for not taking the necessary steps to ensure the safety of the hostages, stating, “Had they cared about them, they would have honored the January agreement. Most of the prisoners could have been home by now.”

Despite being more than a year and a half into the ongoing conflict, characterized by U.S.-backed military actions in Gaza, Israeli forces have yet to recover any hostages through military means. All hostages released thus far have been freed as a result of ceasefire agreements.

The most recent ceasefire started on January 19, 2025, but it collapsed on March 18 following a series of Israeli airstrikes that resulted in the deaths of hundreds of Palestinians in a single day.

Netanyahu faces substantial criticism, with accusations that he is prolonging the conflict to maintain his power amidst threats from coalition partners to destabilize his government. Concurrently, Palestinian resistance groups have intensified guerrilla-style operations against Israeli forces.

Despite ongoing military efforts, reports from Israeli media indicate that only 25% of Gaza’s extensive tunnel network, which is vital to Hamas’s military capabilities, has been successfully dismantled.

In related news, Reuters reported that U.S. President Donald Trump mentioned progress in negotiations regarding the return of hostages, stating he is “dealing with both Israel and Hamas.” However, he did not provide further details on these discussions.

The survey findings and ongoing developments illustrate the multifaceted nature of the conflict, emphasizing the need for diplomatic solutions to effectively address the concerns of both Israelis and Palestinians.