That is not part of my analysis.

True, according to Palestinian-run polls, to this day a (small) majority of Gazans continue to support Hamas.

However, as long as this support is by word and not deed, they do not bear responsibility for Hamas actions and should be considered innocent (inasmuch as I would not want any random Israeli civilian to count as a combatant simply because he or she may have voted for the current Israeli government, let alone if they voted against it).

What they do bear responsibility for is that as long as they continue to believe that terror against Israeli civilians is justified, they cannot be partners for peace.