Maariv Poll Finds 78% of Gaza Border Israelis Feel Unsafe

A survey published by the Israeli daily Maariv indicates deep insecurity among residents of the Gaza Envelope, the cluster of communities bordering the Gaza Strip. According to the poll, 78% of respondents do not feel safe in the area, and 70% judge Israel’s deterrence against Gaza groups to be weak or very weak. The findings also show that 63% of those surveyed view the return of Israelis still held captive in Gaza as essential to restoring their sense of security. An overwhelming 91% say the government lacks a clear security policy to eliminate the threat facing border towns. Persisting anxiety is prompting some to consider relocation: 30.4% of respondents reported plans to leave the Gaza Envelope or said they remain undecided about staying.