A total of 57% of Israelis oppose the U.S.-mediated deal being negotiated with Hamas, according to a JNS/Direct Polls survey of public opinion carried out on July 9. And 33% support the prospective agreement.
The contours of the agreement would require Israel to withdraw from the Netzarim Corridor that controls north-south traffic in Gaza, and from the Philadelphi Corridor that controls the Strip’s border with Egypt. In exchange for the withdrawal and the release of hundreds of terrorists from Israeli prisons, Hamas would free 18 living women and children and the bodies of 15 deceased hostages.
Seventy-nine percent of Likud voters oppose the proposal, with 14% approving and 7% not knowing.
Eighty-three percent of those identifying as right-wing reject the deal, with 10% approving and 7% having no opinion.
In contrast, 59% of voters for opposition leader Yair Lapid’s left-wing Yesh Atid Party expressed support for such a deal, with 31% opposing and 11% unsure.
Some 54% of voters for former War Cabinet Minister Knesset member Benny Gantz’s National Unity Party would support the deal, compared to 34% against it and 13% not knowing.
Meanwhile, 70% of residents of southern Israel, where Hamas perpetrated its Oct. 7 massacre of some 1,200 people, expressed opposition to such a deal, with 24% approving and the rest saying they do not know.
The JNS/Direct Poll was carried out among 606 adults aged 18 and older, representing Israel’s general population. The statistical error is 4.4%+/-95%.
An Israeli delegation led by Mossad director David Barnea arrived in Qatar on Wednesday to continue negotiations. The Israeli team also includes Israel Security Agency (Shin Bet) chief Ronen Bar, who was in Cairo earlier this week to discuss an agreement with Egyptian and American officials, and Maj. Gen. (res.) Nitzan Alon, head of the Missing and Captive Soldiers Division in the IDF.
CIA director William Burns, Egyptian intelligence chief Maj. Gen. Abbas Kamel and Qatari Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani are reportedly participating in the Doha talks.
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