Wed Nov 06 21:35:45 UTC 2024: ## Palestinians Fear Trump’s Return Will Worsen Gaza Crisis, Despite Biden’s Support
**Gaza City, Palestine** – Palestinians living in the besieged Gaza Strip are expressing deep fear and despair following the announcement of Donald Trump’s victory in the US presidential election. They believe a return to power for Trump will embolden Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, leading to further escalation of the ongoing conflict and potentially paving the way for the annexation of Gaza.
Gaza has been under near-constant Israeli bombardment for the past 13 months, resulting in the deaths of over 43,000 Palestinians and displacement of almost the entire population. While current President Joe Biden has provided unwavering support for Israel, relations between Netanyahu and Biden have become strained due to the prolonged conflict and failure to reach a ceasefire.
Palestinians interviewed by Al Jazeera expressed profound fear that Trump’s return will signify a return to the policies of his first presidency, which included a strong alliance with Netanyahu and a dismissive attitude towards Palestinian concerns. They fear that Trump will further embolden Netanyahu, allowing him to pursue aggressive actions against Gaza with little international pressure.
“Trump and Netanyahu are an evil alliance against the Palestinians and our fate will be very difficult,” said Ahmed Jarad, a resident of Gaza who fled his home in Beit Lahiya last year. “We hoped to return to the north and now all our hopes have been shattered.”
Zakia Hilal, a 70-year-old physician, echoed this sentiment, stating that “Trump had to come to complete [our suffering].” She expressed concern that humanitarian aid to Gaza, already at its lowest point since the conflict began, will be further restricted under Trump’s administration.
Despite the dire situation, some Palestinians hold a glimmer of hope that Trump’s return could bring a swift end to the war, albeit a painful one. They believe that Trump’s influence over Netanyahu could potentially pressure the Israeli leader into a partial resolution to the conflict.
However, many researchers and analysts are deeply pessimistic, arguing that Trump’s presence in the White House will only exacerbate the situation. Ahmed Fayyad, an independent researcher in Israeli affairs, stated that Trump’s return “only means that Netanyahu will continue his plans of invading Gaza and evicting its people, but with less pressure and more ease.”
The future of the Palestinian people in Gaza remains uncertain, shrouded by fear and anxiety. The consequences of Trump’s victory are yet to fully unfold, but Palestinians fear that their already precarious situation will only worsen under his leadership.
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