The American public doesn't see any victors from the recent bout of violence in Gaza
A week ago fighting ended in the Gaza Strip. Since violence began in early July around 2,200 people, mostly Palestinians, have died. The terms of the agreement will see Hamas cease rocket fire into Israel, and prevent other groups from launching rockets. Israel will also ease the blockade on Gaza and there will be further talks to examine how to improve the conditions of the Gazan people. The agreement is merely being described as a truce, however, as few are under any illusion that this is more than a pause in hostilities, let alone the prelude to a formal peace agreement.
The latest research from YouGov shows that only 38% of Americans think that either side has, in the short term, gained from the conflict. 16% think Israel won, 14% say that both won 'equally', while only 8% think that Hamas has emerged as the victor. 30% say that neither side won, while 32% of Americans are not sure. Independents are the most likely to say that there has been no victor (67%), while Republicans have the highest numbers saying that Israel won (21%).
Asked who, in the long term, has gained the most from the conflict, the American public still does not see any major beneficiary. 53% say that they don't know who gained the most in the long term, while 34% say that Israel has gained the most and 13% say that Hamas has gained the most. Republicans are the least likely to say no-one gained in the long-term, being both the most likely to say that Israel has gained the most (47%) and the most likely to say that Hamas has gained the most (18%).
Full poll results can be found here.
Image: PA
