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Tel Aviv — The ongoing crisis in Gaza continues to take a massive toll on its residents, who are now pinning their hopes for relief on the incoming administration in Washington. With Donald Trump elected as President, the prospects elicit mixed feelings among the approximately five million Palestinians living in the war-ravaged Gaza Strip and the Israeli-occupied West Bank.
For Rakan Abdul Ahman, a resident of Gaza, the message is clear: he wants the incoming U.S. leader to pressure Israel into ceasing its military operations. “We’ve seen too much loss of life, particularly among women and children,” he shared. “I hope Trump will take steps to alleviate the suffering here.”
Ahmed Harb, a journalist based in Gaza, believes the new administration presents a significant opportunity. Trump’s campaign rhetoric included a promise to halt ongoing conflicts, and Harb hopes this commitment extends to Gaza’s suffering. “It’s a critical moment,” he remarked. “However, it’s important that any ceasefire does not come at the cost of the Palestinian people’s rights.”
The concerns about the potential direction of U.S. policy are echoed by Palestinan politicians, including Mustafa Bargouti. A physician and leader of the Palestinian National Initiative, Bargouti advocates for democratic governance across Palestinian territories. He raised an important question: “What does it mean to stop the conflict? Is it through further annexation, ethnic displacement, or by halting illegal settlements built on our land?”
The current conflict in Gaza was reignited following a deadly assault by Hamas that claimed around 1,200 lives on October 7, 2023. This escalation has drawn significant international focus away from the increasing violence perpetrated by Israeli settlers in the West Bank, who are aggressively encroaching on traditionally Palestinian lands.
Recent statistics indicate a rise in makeshift Jewish settlements, which often begin as simple encampments that settlers later lobby to be recognized officially by Israel. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s right-wing cabinet has shown open support for expanding these outposts, even endorsing narratives that advocate for the displacement of Palestinians. Bargouti cautions that such actions not only violate international law but also risk exacerbating existing tensions.
“Our struggle for rights is not over,” Bargouti asserted. “We are prepared to endure hardship. But can we accept the alternative, which is the total erasure of our presence? That is a path we cannot follow.”
The prospect of Trump’s cabinet appointments, particularly the selection of Mike Huckabee as the next U.S. Ambassador to Israel, has elicited concern among Palestinians. Huckabee, who has expressed controversial views regarding Palestinian identity and legitimacy, suggests a leaning towards policies that overlook the complexities of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Bargouti expressed dismay at Huckabee’s dismissals of both occupation and settlement issues, saying such rhetoric undermines international law.
During Trump’s first presidency, he opposed the expansion of Israeli settlements and proposed the “deal of the century” in 2020, which outlined a proposed framework for a Palestinian state. However, this plan was met with resistance from both Palestinian leaders and Israeli settlers, resulting in entrenched positions on both sides. Any attempt by the Trump administration to revisit this proposal could face heightened scrutiny from Palestinians and their allies, whose resolve has only been fortified by the recent devastation in Gaza. Nearly 44,000 lives have been lost over the past year, making dialogue increasingly fraught.
On the Israeli front, hardliners within Netanyahu’s government are firmly against any form of Palestinian statehood, and Netanyahu himself has repeatedly dismissed any discussions of Palestinian sovereignty. Nevertheless, Bargouti remains resolute. “It’s going to be a challenging time for all parties involved,” he noted. “Yet, the Palestinian people will not surrender their claim to freedom.”
Crisis in the Middle East
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