Beit Sahour / PNN /
A new opinion poll conducted by the Palestinian Center for Public Opinion (PCPO), led by Dr. Nabil Kukali, found that a majority of Palestinians support ending the war on Gaza and show cautious willingness to engage with former U.S. President Donald Trump’s proposed peace plan — despite deep skepticism toward American and Israeli intentions.
According to the findings, based on a random sample of 304 respondents from the West Bank and Gaza Strip surveyed between September 28 and October 3, 2025, 86% of West Bank residents and 90% of Gazans expressed varying degrees of support for a comprehensive ceasefire — signaling a broad national consensus on the urgency of halting the war.
Dr. Kukali said Palestinian public sentiment is marked by “cautious realism,” noting that while people view ending the war as an “urgent priority,” they remain firmly committed to “legitimate Palestinian leadership and rejecting any form of foreign guardianship.” He added that Palestinians perceive Trump’s plan as “a limited opportunity lacking trust in U.S. and Israeli intentions,” believing that “any potential success would be temporary and transitional.”
Kukali explained that the poll results indicate that Palestinian public opinion stands at a critical crossroads — balancing realism with a strong insistence on national sovereignty. While the ceasefire, Arab support, and Palestinian oversight of aid enjoy broad approval, doubts persist about the international and Israeli roles.
He emphasized that the prisoners’ issue remains a key benchmark for the seriousness of any political settlement and that the rejection of external control reflects “a deeply rooted sense of national awareness.” Despite prevailing political pessimism, the results also reveal “cautious signs of hope,” especially in Gaza — pointing to a willingness among Palestinians to support any initiative that ensures justice, sovereignty, and lasting stability.
“The Palestinian public stands between political realism and the defense of national sovereignty,” Kukali said, adding, “Despite widespread pessimism, there are emerging signs of cautious optimism in Gaza, reflecting a readiness to support any initiative that guarantees justice and enduring stability.”
Survey Findings:
The poll showed that 68.1% of respondents evaluated Trump’s plan positively to varying degrees, while about 28% viewed it negatively. Meanwhile, 60.5% expressed partial confidence in the Trump administration’s ability to enforce the plan, compared with 35% who expressed no trust at all.
Regarding Gaza’s transitional administration, 43.8% said the Palestinian Authority should manage the Strip, 31.6% preferred a multi-party civilian administration with Arab or international participation, and 11.5% rejected maintaining the current situation.
On the prospect of an international presence, 45.7% opposed deploying multinational forces in Gaza, while 21.4% strongly supported the idea — reflecting widespread sensitivity to potential violations of Palestinian sovereignty.
When asked about Gaza’s reconstruction, 43.8% placed financial responsibility on the international community, 28.3% said Arab and Islamic countries should bear the cost, and 26% held Israel, as the occupying power, directly responsible.
The issue of Palestinian prisoners emerged as a unifying national concern: 74% said it should be a key item in any settlement, while opinions were nearly split between supporting a comprehensive exchange deal (46.7%) or a mass release (45.4%).
In terms of trust in the United States, 65.9% of respondents said Trump’s promises not to annex the West Bank were “merely symbolic,” while only 25% believed the plan could bring lasting peace. About half the respondents expect any peace to be temporary.
Finally, when asked about the proposed appointment of Tony Blair to oversee Gaza’s administration, 58.8% said it was “just a suggestion that will never materialize,” and 53.8% viewed him as “an unsuitable choice due to his controversial record.”
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