JERUSALEM 

Nearly 80% of Israelis blame Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for the failure to prevent the Oct. 7 attack by the Palestinian group Hamas, according to a recent survey conducted in Israel.

The Lazar Institute conducted the survey on October 18-19, and it was commissioned by Israel's Maariv newspaper.

Only 8% of those polled did not hold Netanyahu responsible for the attacks in Israeli territories near the Gaza Strip.

The survey also showed that 65% of Israelis support a ground offensive against the Gaza Strip, while 21% oppose it.

Earlier this week, Ronen Bar, the head of Israel’s general security agency (Shin Bet), admitted that he failed to detect the infiltration of the Palestinian group Hamas into Israeli territory on Oct. 7.

Israeli army chief Herzi Halevi made a similar statement.

The conflict in Gaza, under Israeli bombardment and blockade since Oct. 7, began when Hamas initiated Operation Al-Aqsa Flood, a multi-pronged surprise attack that included a barrage of rocket launches and infiltrations into Israel by land, sea, and air. It said the incursion was in retaliation for the storming of the Al-Aqsa Mosque and growing violence by Israeli settlers.

The Israeli military then launched Operation Swords of Iron against Hamas targets in the Gaza Strip.

At least 3,785 Palestinians have been killed in Israeli attacks on Gaza, while the figure stands at more than 1,400 people in Israel.

*Writing by Ahmed Asmar in Ankara