Hamas has gained its largest popularity boost in the moderate West Bank for a decade, raising fears that the conflict in the Gaza Strip has radicalised Palestinians in a territory where security co-operation is vital for Israel.
Fighting between Israel and Hamas in which more than 2,000 people have been killed and thousands of dwellings destroyed in Gaza has raised sympathy for the Islamist group among Palestinians and potentially threatened the position of Mahmoud Abbas, their moderate president.
A total of 61 per cent of those asked in a poll said they would vote in a future presidential election for Ismail Haniyeh, a former Hamas leader and now a senior party official, compared with just 32 per cent for Mr Abbas.
The results of the survey, commissioned by the Palestinian Centre for Policy and Survey Research, contrast sharply with one two months ago that found 53 per cent support for Mr Abbas and 41 per cent for Mr Haniyeh.
The survey comes as residents of Gaza continue to wait for materials to start rebuilding homes and businesses damaged in the conflict, which saw Israel launch airstrikes and a ground operation in response to rocket and cross-border tunnel attacks by Hamas.
Advertisement
At least 17,000 homes in Gaza were destroyed, leaving 100,000 people without shelter. Some humanitarian groups say it will take 20 years to rebuild the housing stock.
In Ramallah on the West Bank, frustration at years of failed peace talks with Israel, alongside solidarity with Gazans, has radicalised Palestinians. Street vendors sell T-shirts with the masked face of Abu Obeida, the spokesman for the al-Qassam Brigades, the military wing of Hamas, and a growing number of televisions are tuned to Al-Aqsa TV, the Hamas-run channel.
At the same time, though, there is evidence that most Gaza residents want the revival of a stillborn “national reconciliation” government formed in April — and not Hamas — to handle day-to-day affairs in the territory. Intriguingly, Mr Abbas polled better in Gaza than the West Bank, managing 49 per cent.
Analysts say the lack of obvious gains for Gazans from a war seen as being triggered by Hamas’s rocket attacks contributed to the findings.