As international commentators wring their hands over the war in Gaza, Israelis themselves are clear: the battle is not over, and it must be won.

A new poll released Wednesday night shows a striking 65% majority of Israelis support the capture of Gaza City and the central refugee camps—still largely under Hamas control—compared to 32% opposed. Just 3% said they had no opinion.

The survey, conducted by the Direct Polls Institute and published by Israel’s i24, questioned 513 adults on Sept. 3 using a combined digital system and research panel. The margin of error is ±4.4%.

The results come amid heated debate within Israel’s leadership. Political leaders have pushed for “Operation Gideon’s Chariots 2,” a decisive maneuver to conquer the last Hamas strongholds. By contrast, senior defense officials—including Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir—have been quoted in the press as preferring to first conclude a partial hostage deal before green-lighting a deeper offensive.

Yet the poll makes clear where the public stands: with determination to finish the job. For Israelis, October 7 is not a memory that can be papered over with diplomacy. And like US President Donald Trump, most now believe the last 20 living hostages can’t all be freed through negotiations alone.

While critics abroad frame the war as stalemate or humanitarian crisis, Israelis themselves know otherwise. A solid majority see the capture of Gaza City not as escalation, but as necessary completion of the mission.

Israelis remain divided over the timing and tactics, but the goal is unmistakable: Hamas cannot be left armed and in control of Gaza. The war began in horror, and the public has no appetite for it to end in half-measures.

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