Palestinians Grapple with Uncertainty as Trump Eyes Return to Power
The prospect of Donald Trump returning to the White House has reignited both hope and fear among Palestinians in the Gaza Strip and the Israeli-occupied West Bank. After enduring over a year of devastating bombings and mass displacement, many in Gaza are cautiously optimistic yet apprehensive about the impact of a new U.S. administration.
Gaza resident Rakan Abdul Ahman expressed his desire for President-elect Trump to pressure Israel into halting the ongoing conflict. "We've witnessed enough killing of women and children," he said. "I’m looking for Trump to end the suffering in Gaza."
Ahmed Harb, a Gazan journalist, echoed this sentiment, citing Trump’s previous pledge to end wars during his 2024 campaign. However, he emphasized that peace must not come at the cost of Palestinian rights. "He shouldn’t stop the war at the expense of the Palestinian people," Harb cautioned.
Palestinian leaders, including Mustafa Barghouti of the Palestinian National Initiative, worry about the direction peace efforts might take. Barghouti criticized Israeli policies, including illegal settlements and forced displacement, as catalysts for prolonged conflict. “Do you stop the war by annexing occupied territories or forcing Israel to end its illegal policies?” he asked.
The situation is further complicated by Netanyahu’s government, which supports settler outposts in the West Bank. These makeshift settlements often evolve into permanent fixtures, heightening tensions. Right-wing cabinet members openly advocate for annexation and the expulsion of Palestinians, a move Barghouti describes as “ethnic cleansing.”
Trump’s previous administration proposed a fragmented Palestinian state as part of a controversial “deal of the century,” which was rejected by both sides. With tensions at an all-time high following a devastating year that claimed nearly 44,000 Palestinian lives in Gaza, the possibility of reviving such a plan faces significant resistance.
Despite the uncertainties, Barghouti remains steadfast. "It will be a rough year for everybody, but we will never give up our struggle for freedom," he declared.
