Did Gaza Disengagement Cause Oct. 7? Shocking Poll Sparks Resettlement Push!

A recent survey conducted by the Ma’agar Mochot Institute for Israel Hayom, published on August 1, 2025, indicates that 76% of Israelis who expressed an opinion believe the 2005 unilateral disengagement from Gaza was a mistake, with only 24% supporting the decision made two decades ago. The poll, reflecting on the 20th anniversary of the withdrawal from Gush Katif, where 21 Jewish settlements were evacuated, reveals a significant shift in public sentiment. Notably, 50% of respondents now favor renewing Jewish settlement in the Gaza Strip, with strong backing from religious communities: 83% of charedim, 67% of religious Jews, and 29% of secular Jews support resettlement. Opposition varies sharply by group, with 5% of charedim, 17% of religious Jews, and 50% of secular Jews against the idea.

The survey also ties the 2005 disengagement to the October 7, 2023, Hamas-led massacre, which killed 1,200 and saw 251 abducted. A majority, 56%, believe the attack’s likelihood would have been lower without the withdrawal, while 44% argue the events would have occurred regardless. Additionally, 64% of respondents view a similar disengagement from Judea and Samaria as unfeasible, reflecting skepticism about territorial concessions amid ongoing security threats, including Hamas’s control of Gaza and recent attacks killing 4,000 in Lebanon, per regional reports. Social media on X echoed the poll’s findings, with one user stating, “Gaza disengagement was a disaster, time to reclaim our land.” The poll underscores growing public regret over past policies and a desire to reassert control in Gaza, driven by national security concerns and the trauma of October 7, which displaced 96,000 Israelis from border communities. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, addressing the findings, hinted at exploring “strategic options” for Gaza’s future, though no formal resettlement plan has been announced.