Palestinians Fear Trump's Return to Power as New 'Catastrophe' for Peace Efforts

Palestinians Fear Trump

As the war between Israel and Palestinians rages on for over a year, the prospect of Donald Trump returning to the White House has stirred deep concerns among many Palestinians. The ongoing violence in Gaza, which has resulted in over 43,000 Palestinian deaths, has left much of the region in ruins. For individuals like Abu Osama, who has been displaced by Israeli airstrikes in Khan Younis, Trump's election victory is seen as a "new catastrophe" that could exacerbate the already dire situation. Despite the immense suffering, Abu Osama warns that the political fallout from Trump's return could be even worse, marking a devastating new phase in the conflict.

The war erupted in October 2023 after Hamas militants launched an attack on Israel, killing over 1,000 people and taking hostages. Israel responded with relentless airstrikes, and efforts to negotiate a ceasefire, spearheaded by the U.S. and Arab mediators such as Qatar and Egypt, have so far failed. While President Biden's administration has offered staunch diplomatic and military support to Israel, many Palestinians fear that a return to Trump’s presidency will further entrench U.S. backing for Israel without any meaningful pressure on Israel to reach a peace agreement.

Hamas has made it clear that while the U.S. election is an internal matter, they are calling for an end to what they see as "blind support" for Israel. Hamas official Sami Abu Zuhri urged Trump to learn from President Biden's mistakes and reconsider his policies. He also emphasized that Trump’s prior promises to end the war quickly upon re-election would soon be put to the test, adding that his actions as president will determine whether any real progress can be made toward ending the violence.

In contrast to Hamas's criticism, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, who leads the Palestinian Authority, offered a more cautious approach. Although Abbas has previously clashed with Trump, particularly over his controversial recognition of Jerusalem as Israel’s capital, he expressed a willingness to cooperate with the incoming administration in the hopes of achieving peace. Abbas remains optimistic that under Trump's leadership, the U.S. will support Palestinian aspirations, despite the previous administration's strong alignment with Israel.

Despite this political division, Palestinians in Gaza are divided in their reactions to Trump's potential return to power. Some, like engineer Mohammed Barghouthi, hold onto a glimmer of hope that Trump might fulfill his promises to stop the war in Gaza. However, many remain deeply skeptical of Trump’s intentions, viewing his first-term policies as heavily biased in favor of Israel. "We have to deal with him as an enemy," said Khaled Dasouso, a local shop owner, reflecting the prevailing sentiment among those who feel betrayed by U.S. support for Israel. The future of peace remains uncertain as the conflict continues to ravage the region.

Palestinians Fear Trump's Return to Power as New 'Catastrophe' for Peace Efforts