A survey conducted by Morning Consult indicates that nearly 3 in 5 voters (59%) support calls for a ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas war, up from 53% in mid-November.
Last week, US President Joe Biden warned that public opinion towards Israel “can shift overnight” if PM Benjamin Netanyahu’s government does not seek to reduce civilian casualties.
Survey Findings
Increased support for a truce was reported across the political spectrum, most notably from Republican voters, 53% of whom now support a ceasefire — an increase of 11% in a month. The data also shows a minor shift in Democrats’ opinions since October, as their share increased from 64% to 68%.
According to the poll, since early October, the share of voters who indicated they sympathise more with Israelis has decreased from 41% to 34%, while the number who said they sympathise equally with Israelis and Palestinians surged from 26% to 34%.
Individually, the Democrats’ sympathies for both parties in conflict have increased from 19% to 44%. In comparison, Republicans’ sympathies for both have dropped from 47% to 25%.
Based on the findings, voter sentiments for Palestinians have increased by only 1% since October (11% to 12%).
During the same period, the share of voters who believe the US should provide humanitarian aid to Palestinians rose from 57% to 63%.
Situation in Gaza
According to reports, major Israeli air, land, and sea bombardments continued across Gaza on Wednesday, with the most violent shelling recorded in Beit Lahiya and multiple locations of Gaza City (north), eastern Khan Yunis, and the eastern and western areas of Rafah City (south).
As per the reports, 19,667 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza thus far. Women and children are believed to account for 70% of those killed.
Additionally, 71 trucks carrying supplies entered Gaza via the Rafah gate, and 120 via the Kerem Shalom crossing, including 46 trucks carrying more than 750 metric tonnes of life-saving food organised by the World Food Programme (WFP) and the Jordan Hashemite Charity Organisation (JHCO). This is the first time a direct humanitarian convoy has entered the Gaza Strip via Jordan.
The UNRWA said almost 1.9 million people in Gaza are internally displaced, accounting for nearly 85% of the population, including Palestinians who have been displaced multiple times.
Meanwhile, the WHO Director-General has expressed alarm over the rise in infectious diseases, adding, “Gaza is already experiencing soaring rates of infectious disease outbreaks.”