Beit Sahour / PNN /A new public opinion poll shows that a majority of Palestinians believe the recent war produced no clear winner and resulted instead in devastating human and material losses on both sides. The findings point to a prevailing sense of political realism among Palestinians, with growing support for stability and reconciliation over continued confrontation.The survey, conducted by the Palestinian Center for Public Opinion (PCPO) and supervised by Dr. Nabil Kukali, was carried out between October 8 and 12, 2025, among a random sample of 301 respondents from across the Gaza Strip aged 18 and older.According to the results, 71.1% of respondents said there was “no clear winner” in the war, while 11.3% believed Israel had the upper hand and 11.0% said Hamas emerged victorious. Another 6.6% declined to answer.Dr. Kukali said the poll aimed to capture the public mood in the aftermath of the conflict and to assess attitudes toward key local, regional, and international actors. “These findings reflect a deep awareness among Palestinians of the heavy cost of war and a growing desire to move from confrontation toward political settlement and stability,” he said.Most Palestinians See the War as a Humanitarian CatastropheWhen asked why they felt neither side had won, 64.1% of respondents said the war caused widespread destruction and suffering without tangible political gains. About 6.6% viewed Hamas’s endurance as a form of “moral victory,” while 3.0% said Israel and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu benefited politically.More than half of respondents (53.8%) expressed feelings of relief or cautious optimism following the ceasefire, whereas 27.0% reported sadness, fear, or exhaustion. Another 6.6% said their lives had not changed since the fighting stopped.Reconstruction and National Unity Top Public PrioritiesAsked about their postwar priorities, 41.5% of Gazans named rebuilding homes and infrastructure as their top concern, followed by 20.3% who emphasised urgent humanitarian aid and civilian protection.Another 13.0% called for Palestinian national reconciliation, while 9.3% prioritised the issue of prisoners and hostages.A smaller share (7.0%) expressed a desire to emigrate, which researchers described as a troubling indicator of growing despair and loss of hope.Mixed Views on U.S. Role, Broad Support for EgyptPalestinians were divided over the role of U.S. President Donald Trump in ending the war. 44.5% rated his role as positive to some degree, while 30.2% viewed it negatively and 19.3% said it was neutral or insignificant.In terms of trust, 54.2% said they had little or no confidence in Trump, compared with 35.2% who expressed partial or full trust.By contrast, 83.5% of respondents praised Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sissi for his role in brokering the ceasefire, describing it as “effective.” Only 10.6% considered Egypt’s role ineffective, while 5.9% had no opinion.Cautious Optimism About Gaza’s FuturePalestinians expressed mixed expectations regarding Gaza’s future. 40.9% expected gradual improvement in living conditions, while 38.9% believed hardships would persist for a long time. Another 9.6% voiced optimism about potential political progress, including the formation of a unity government or increased international aid.Dr. Kukali said these results reflect “a public mood balanced between conditional hope and realistic anxiety,” noting that recovery depends largely on political stability and successful reconstruction efforts.Majority Support Abbas’s Participation in Peace SigningA majority (56.2%) said President Mahmoud Abbas’s participation in the peace agreement ceremony in Sharm el-Sheikh, alongside Trump and other world leaders, was important to affirm Palestinian legitimacy and international presence. About 41.2% disagreed, and 2.4% were undecided.The poll was conducted through random phone interviews using an electronic data system, achieving a 75% response rate and a ±5.6% margin of error at a 95% confidence level.The sample was balanced by gender (56.3% male, 43.7% female) and covered all five governorates of the Gaza Strip: North Gaza, Gaza City, Deir al-Balah, Khan Younis, and Rafah. The average respondent age was 35 years.Dr. Kukali said the findings reveal a shift in Palestinian public sentiment toward political pragmatism and away from ideological narratives. “War is no longer viewed as a heroic endeavour but as a humanitarian and economic burden that threatens the future of generations,” he said.He added that Palestinians are increasingly calling for “a just and lasting settlement based on national legitimacy, Arab support, and international partnership — without foreign guardianship or direct control over Gaza.”The poll concludes that Palestinians are leaning toward realism, reconciliation, and reconstruction, reflecting a collective desire to end the cycle of conflict and pursue lasting peace.