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JERUSALEM, Feb. 26 (Xinhua) -- A new poll released on Sunday showed that most of the Israelis believe that the government's policies in the Gaza Strip have undermined security.
Israel and Egypt have imposed a blockade on Gaza following Hamas winning in the 2006 elections in the Strip. Under Israel's restrictive policy, only a very limited number of people and goods are allowed in and out of the besieged Palestinian enclave.
Israel maintains that the measures are needed to ensure its security. The Jewish state launched three wide-scale offensives since 2008.
According to the new poll, two-thirds of the Israelis believe the government's policy in Gaza has worsened their security, with 69 percent of the public believe that improving living conditions there would "serve Israel's interests."
Some 57 percent of the public said they would prefer alleviating restrictions on the civilian population to tightening the closure.
The poll was conducted by New Wave Research at the request of Gisha, a Tel Aviv-based human rights organization.
