Poll reflects significant decline in sense of IOF achievement in Gaza

The assault on Gaza, combined with a sense of stagnation in the fighting and high casualties in areas previously controlled by the Israeli occupation forces, has resulted in a significant drop in the Israeli public’s perception of the army’s achievements 7 months into the war, the Israeli “Institute for National Security Studies” (INSS), revealed. 

Doubts about the war’s aim and direction, as well as the failure to return captives, all contribute to the decline in trust. According to INSS’s “Swords of Iron” study for May, just 34% of Israeli settlers are very happy with the IOF’s operations in Gaza.

This represents a considerable decline from November when the number stood at 52%. There is also a drop in the public’s sense of triumph, with just 61% of respondents in May saying they are certain or believe the IOF would prevail in Gaza, compared to 92% in October. The poll results also suggest a decrease in support for the war’s objectives and the chance of reaching them.

While 84% of the settlers voiced strong support for eradicating Hamas as the war’s aim before the start of the onslaught, just 61% of those polled in May expressed the same. 

Furthermore, 46% of the general population feels that the war’s objectives will be met either partially or not at all.

Finally, in what seems like a split in Israeli opinion on the war, 57% of Israelis believe or are certain that the Israeli occupation is not taking appropriate measures to release captives.

Tzachi Hanegbi, the “National Security Advisor” to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, told Israeli Kan public radio that the war is expected to continue throughout 2024.

“The fighting in Gaza will continue for at least another seven months,” he explained.

The assault on Gaza, combined with a sense of stagnation in the fighting and high casualties in areas previously controlled by the Israeli occupation forces, has resulted in a significant drop in the Israeli public’s perception of the army’s achievements 7 months into the war, the Israeli “Institute for National Security Studies” (INSS), revealed. 

Doubts about the war’s aim and direction, as well as the failure to return captives, all contribute to the decline in trust. According to INSS’s “Swords of Iron” study for May, just 34% of Israeli settlers are very happy with the IOF’s operations in Gaza.

This represents a considerable decline from November when the number stood at 52%. There is also a drop in the public’s sense of triumph, with just 61% of respondents in May saying they are certain or believe the IOF would prevail in Gaza, compared to 92% in October. The poll results also suggest a decrease in support for the war’s objectives and the chance of reaching them.

While 84% of the settlers voiced strong support for eradicating Hamas as the war’s aim before the start of the onslaught, just 61% of those polled in May expressed the same. 

Furthermore, 46% of the general population feels that the war’s objectives will be met either partially or not at all.

Finally, in what seems like a split in Israeli opinion on the war, 57% of Israelis believe or are certain that the Israeli occupation is not taking appropriate measures to release captives.

Tzachi Hanegbi, the “National Security Advisor” to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, told Israeli Kan public radio that the war is expected to continue throughout 2024.

“The fighting in Gaza will continue for at least another seven months,” he explained.