Only 4% of Israelis believe war on Gaza achieved goals: Poll
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The poll shows that 67% of settlers consider the return of Palestinians to northern Gaza as an indication that the war has ended.
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Hamas fighters arrive in a pick-up truck at the site of the handover of captive Agam Beger to the Red Cross at the Jabalia refugee camp in Gaza City, on Thursday, January 30, 2025. (AP)
Only 4% of Israeli settlers believe that "Israel's" objectives of the war have been fully achieved, a public opinion poll conducted by the Israeli newspaper Maariv revealed, several days after the Gaza ceasefire agreement between the Palestinian Resistance and "Israel" took effect.
The results also showed that 67% of Israeli settlers believe the war's objectives have been only partially achieved, while the same percentage (67%) considers the return of Palestinian residents to northern Gaza as an indication that the war has ended.
Israeli Police Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir criticized the scenes from Gaza on Thursday, saying, "The images coming from Gaza confirm that what has happened so far was not a complete victory but a complete failure."
Ben-Gvir further stated that "this prisoner exchange deal is unprecedented, and the Israeli government has chosen the path of submission," referring to the concessions made by the regime to secure the release of Israeli captives.
Meanwhile, the leader of the Yisrael Beiteinu party, Avigdor Lieberman, stated that "the images from Gaza prove that we must separate from it forever." Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich also expressed concern, saying, "We are worried about the price we are paying for this deal, despite our joy at the return of the hostages."
Image of 'absolute victory' demolished
These remarks came after footage showed large crowds gathering in Jabalia in northern Gaza and Khan Younis in the south, particularly near the home of Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar, as the Israeli captives were handed over.
Al Mayadeen's correspondent stated that Palestinian citizens were seen waving Resistance flags and carrying images of martyred Hezbollah Secretary-General Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah and Ansar Allah leader Sayyed Abdul-Malik al-Houthi amid the crowds in Khan Younis.
Haaretz's military analyst, Amos Harel, pointed out that the scenes of Palestinians returning to northern Gaza through the Netzarim crossing "demolish the illusion of an absolute victory," referring to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's vow of a total victory in Gaza.
Harel added the Palestinians' return to northern Gaza and what remains of their homes on foot, particularly through the Netzarim route, asserts the end of the war between "Israel" and Hamas to a great extent.
Read more: 'No alternative. Hamas is Gaza, and Gaza is Hamas': Israeli media
