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Source: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2024/07/29/support-for-hamas-triples-prisoner-exchange-deal/
Support for Hamas Triples in West Bank after Prisoner Exchange Deal
(Telegraph-UK) Nicola Smith - Support for Hamas has more than tripled in the West Bank since the Oct. 7 attacks led to a deal securing an exchange of Palestinian prisoners for Israeli hostages, according to polls by the Ramallah-based Palestinian Center for Policy and Survey Research. West Bank support for Hamas spiked from 12% in September 2023 to 41% in May 2024. Veteran Palestinian pollster Dr. Khalil Shikaki attributed Hamas's leap in popularity to the November ceasefire, which saw 105 Israeli civilian hostages released and swapped for 240 Palestinian prisoners. "All of the prisoners released were from the West Bank. And so if you are able to release prisoners through violence, you are able to demonstrate to Palestinians the efficacy of violence. Hamas did that." Moreover, the Palestinian Authority had "never been as low in terms of legitimacy, credibility, support," with demand for the resignation of President Abbas reaching 94%.