Hostages or defeating Hamas? New survey reveals the battle for public perception

As the government faces a critical decision between continuing the war and pursuing a deal to return the hostages, a new survey released earlier today reflects a deep divide within Israeli society.

Returning Hostages or Defeating Hamas?

Survey results indicate that 68% of Israeli respondents see the return of all hostages as the most important war objective, while only 24% prioritize the defeat of Hamas.

The data becomes even more interesting when broken down by political affiliation: among those who identify as center-left voters, there is overwhelming support (90%) for prioritizing the return of the hostages, compared to just 6% who favor the defeat of Hamas.

In contrast, coalition voters and right-wing identifiers are more divided—47% and 54%, respectively, support the return of the hostages, while 44% of coalition voters and 37% of right-wing respondents consider the defeat of Hamas the primary goal.

Does the Public Support a Ceasefire Deal?

When asked whether they support a deal to return the hostages in exchange for a ceasefire, 61% of the general public expressed support, while 26% opposed it.

Again, political affiliations play a key role: while nearly all center-left voters (87%) support such a deal, right-wing and coalition voters are more conflicted.

Only 39% of coalition voters favor the deal, while 46% oppose it. Among right-wing voters, 44% support the measure, while 41% oppose it.

The findings highlight the challenge faced by decision-makers: on one hand, there is immense public pressure to return the hostages at any cost, particularly from the center-left. On the other hand, the government’s core support base—right-wing and coalition voters—is not unified, with many opposing any deal that leaves Hamas in power.

If the government chooses to pursue a ceasefire deal to secure the hostages' release, it risks losing support among its hardline base, which prioritizes the defeat of Hamas. Conversely, if it continues the war without resolving the hostage crisis, it may face a growing public outcry.

Where is Israel Headed?

The question of priorities—defeating Hamas or returning the hostages—is not just a military issue but also a deeply social and political one. The divisions seen in the survey reflect not only Israel’s military challenges but also its internal political and ideological fractures. As time passes and pressures mount, the decision that will ultimately be made—whichever direction it takes—will shape not only Israel’s security future but also its political landscape.

For more on the latest about the Hamas-Israel Conflict read here