{
  "id": 1276731,
  "title": "Hamas’s popularity is falling, but Khalil al-Hayya remains more popular than PA’s Abbas - poll",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/16/hamass-popularity-is-falling-but-khalil-al-hayya-remains-more-popular",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-16T13:48:50.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Jerusalem Post",
    "slug": "jerusalem-post",
    "url": "https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/article-905677"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "A recent poll conducted by the Palestinian Center for Policy and Survey Research reveals a decline in Hamas's popularity among Palestinians in both the West Bank and Gaza Strip. However, Khalil al-Hayya, the leader of Hamas, remains more popular than Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas.\n\nThe survey of 1,270 Palestinians, conducted between August 5 and 8, found Fatah figure Marwan Barghouti as the most popular candidate for Palestinian leadership, with 54% of likely voters preferring him in a hypothetical presidential election. Al-Hayya received 26% of the votes, while Abbas garnered only 14%.\n\nSatisfaction with Abbas's performance as president stands at 20%, a slight decrease from 23% ten months ago. Meanwhile, 76% of Palestinians expressed dissatisfaction. In the Gaza Strip, 26% approved of Abbas's performance, compared to 16% in the West Bank.\n\nAn overwhelming majority of Palestinians, 82% in the West Bank and 74% in the Gaza Strip, want Abbas to resign. High levels of corruption within PA institutions and a view of the PA as a burden for Palestinians were also reported by 83% and 65% of respondents, respectively.\n\nWhile 40% of respondents said they would not participate in the presidential elections, high turnout could occur if factions from the 2006 vote participate. In such an event, Fatah would receive 32% of the votes, followed by Hamas at 29%. However, if legislative elections were held with all electoral lists that participated in the 2006 elections, turnout would be 66%.\n\nDespite more than a quarter of respondents maintaining their support for Hamas, the poll showed a significant decline in support. Ten months ago, 44% of respondents overall said they would vote for Hamas, with 49% in Gaza supporting the group. Now, only 18% in the West Bank and 33% in Gaza support Hamas.\n\nThe poll indicates a trend of declining support for Hamas. Ten months ago, 35% of respondents supported Hamas, with 41% in Gaza backing the group. Currently, 33% in Gaza and 18% in the West Bank support the organization.",
  "summary": "Support for Hamas continues to decline in the West Bank (33%) and Gaza (18%). Palestinians show little trust in the Board of Peace, while 32% prefer NCAG to retain governing responsibility.",
  "key_points": [
    "Hamas's popularity has declined among Palestinians in West Bank and Gaza Strip",
    "Khalil al-Hayya remains more popular than PA's Mahmoud Abbas",
    "54% of likely voters prefer Fatah figure Marwan Barghouti for Palestinian leadership"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}