(The Times-UK) Gabrielle Weiniger - Many Palestinians in Gaza now want an end to the war but fear the brutal rule of Hamas, which will keep fighting to the bitter end, said Atta, 39, a father of three. "Hamas is still determined to keep going, holding Gaza as it began, and does not want anyone to share power - at the expense of the people and the destruction of everything." Ghassan Khatib, a former Palestinian minister and peace negotiator, said Gazans were asking two questions. "First, why did you not expect this terrible reaction on the public of Gaza. Second, why did you not prepare? Why do you have enough ammunition to keep fighting until now but you don't have enough medicine; why do you have bunkers for the fighters and you don't have bunkers for the civilians?" A poll by the Palestinian Center for Policy and Survey Research asked: Was Hamas' decision to launch its offensive against Israel on Oct. 7 correct? In December 2023, 72% of Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank said yes. In March 2024, 71% said yes. The U.S. envisages a revitalized Palestinian Authority taking over Gaza after the war. But this vision is not supported by the majority of Palestinians, who see the Authority as corrupt, with none of its institutions given popular legitimacy. For the majority of Gazans, Hamas is still the best of their limited options, said Palestinian pollster Khalil Shikaki.
2024-05-19 00:00:00Full ArticleBACK Visit the Daily Alert Archive