Peace Index - March 2024
Swords of Iron War: Aims and the Day After
- The survey was conducted in early March, still under the ceasefire in Gaza and approximately one week before its collapse and the resumption of hostilities as part of IDF Operation "Might and Sword". Just before this shift, and despite the imminent return to combat, the data indicate noticeable stability and consolidation of public opinion regarding the desire for hostage release and potential post-war solutions.
- One aspect of this stability is preferences for the government's primary objective in the war. When given the choice between the release of the hostages from Gaza by any means and eliminating Hamas by any means, a majority of 66% favored the release of the hostages over the elimination of Hamas. These figures are nearly identical to the previous survey conducted in November 2024, before the ceasefire and the second hostage deal took place. The preference for hostage release extends across political lines, with a stable majority among opinion holders who voted for the coalition (54%) and among opposition voters (87%). While the share of support differs between political camps, it has gradually narrowed over the past year.
