Part 7/9:
Critics, however, question the sincerity of Abbas’s pledges, comparing them to trusting a teenager to clean a bedroom that has been in disarray for two decades—without a broom or any effective means of compliance. The reality, they argue, is that Hamas remains the dominant Palestinian faction, enjoying substantial popular support because of its perceived success in advancing the Palestinian cause through violent acts like the October 7th massacre.
Polls within Palestinian society indicate that Hamas would win a landslide victory if elections were held. This popularity stems from their portrayal as champions of Palestinian independence, especially after their aggressive military campaign, which they view as a strategic triumph.