This is the first of a three-part special series on Palestinian politics and society. You can read part two and three here and here.
As the Israel army withdraws from key areas in Gaza and cease-fire talks progress, the war appears to be on its way to ending and the focus is now on the day after. Any post-war solution cannot be merely another stopgap measure. With neighboring Jordan and Egypt insistent that Palestinian rights must be respected, the only viable solution must be a Palestinian one. The situation is complicated because unless Hamas is completely eliminated — which everyone, including the Americans, knows will not happen — then any solution would need to have the acquiescence if not the direct involvement of Hamas.
Further compounding the situation is Hamas' popularity, which has spiked since Oct. 7. A poll last month by the Palestinian Center for Policy and Survey Research (PCPSR) showed that 42% of Palestinians in Gaza said they supported Hamas (compared to 38% in September 2023), while the group's support in the West Bank stood at 44% (compared to only 12% in September 2023).
PA and Hamas need each other
