A WARTIME opinion poll of Palestinians showed a surge in support for Hamas today, even in the devastated Gaza Strip.

The poll also highlighted an overwhelming rejection of United States-backed President Mahmoud Abbas, with 88 per cent saying he must resign.

The results come a day after the United Nations General Assembly overwhelmingly voted to support a humanitarian ceasefire in Gaza.

The number of people who want Mr Abbas to resign is up by 10 percentage points from three months ago.

In the West Bank, 92 per cent called for the resignation of the president with 44 per cent saying they supported Hamas, up from just 12 per cent in September.

In Gaza, Hamas enjoyed 42 per cent support, up from 38 per cent three months ago.

The survey was conducted during a ceasefire between the Israelis and Hamas in the West Bank and Gaza between November 22 and December 2.

The survey provided insights about Palestinian views of the October 7 attack by Hamas and other Gaza militants on southern Israel, in which about 1,200 people were killed.

Israeli forces have killed more than 18,400 Palestinians, about two-thirds of them women and children and imposed a siege blockade that has created an unprecedented humanitarian crisis

Despite the carnage, 57 per cent of people in Gaza and 82 per cent in the West Bank believe Hamas was correct in launching the attack.

On Tuesday the 193 member UN General Assembly voted by 153 to 10 against and 23 abstentions to demand a humanitarian ceasefire in Gaza in a strong demonstration of global support for ending the Israel-Hamas war.

The vote also showed the growing isolation of the US and Israel, who were joined in opposing the resolution by Austria, Czechia, Guatemala, Liberia, Micronesia, Nauru, Papua New Guinea and Paraguay.

“Today was a historic day in terms of the powerful message that was sent from the General Assembly,” Riyad Mansour, the Palestinian UN ambassador, said after the vote.

“And it is our collective duty to continue in this path until we see an end to this aggression against our people, to see this war stopping against our people. It is our duty to save lives.”

Israel’s UN Ambassador Gilad Erdan said before the vote that if UN member nations want a ceasefire they should call Hamas’ office in Gaza.

He held up a sign with a phone number and the name Yehya Sinwar, the mastermind of the Hamas attack, who is at the top of Israel’s hit list.