NEW YORK — Two years after Hamas’ Oct. 7, 2023, attack on Israel and the start of the Jewish state’s military campaign in Gaza, a growing number of Americans are expressing skepticism toward Israel’s actions and the U.S. response to the conflict, according to a new survey.
The Pew Research Center survey, conducted from Sept. 22-28 among 3,445 U.S. adults and released this past Friday, reveals that 39% of Americans now say Israel is going too far in its military operations against Hamas — a significant increase from 27% in late 2023 and 31% just a year ago.
Public opinion of the Israeli government has also declined. Today, 59% of Americans view the Israeli government unfavorably — up from 51% earlier this year. Only 16% say Israel is taking the right approach to the war, while 10% believe it isn’t going far enough. A third of respondents said they were unsure.
READ: After Oct. 7 And 2 Years of War, Hamas Faces Defining Test
The survey also found that an increasing disapproval of President Donald Trump’s handling of the conflict. As a result, 42% disapprove of his administration’s response, compared to 30% who approve. About 27% say they are unsure.
The survey was conducted before Israeli and Hamas launched indirect talks on Monday in Egypt. Many uncertainties remain about the plan presented by Trump just last week, including the disarmament of the militant group — a key Israeli demand — and the future governance of Gaza.
On Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas launched a surprise attack on Israel from Gaza, killing some 1,200 people and taking over 240 hostages. It was the deadliest single attack on Jews since the Holocaust.
In response, Israel declared war on Hamas and began a large-scale military campaign in Gaza aimed at dismantling the terror group. The conflict has led to massive destruction and a humanitarian crisis in Gaza, with tens of thousands of Palestinians killed or injured, according to local health authorities.