Desperate Palestinians in Gaza are appealing to Donald Trump to end the devastating war between Israel and Hamas.
The conflict, sparked by Hamas’s October 7 attack, has displaced most residents, caused widespread hunger and death, and overwhelmed hospitals.
Locals plead for Trump’s intervention. Mamdouh al-Jadba, displaced from Jabalia, said, “We need someone strong to end the war and save us.” Umm Ahmed Harb echoed this sentiment, urging Trump to “stand by our side.”
In contrast, Palestinians in the West Bank fear Trump’s victory, believing his decisions may prioritize Israel’s interests.
“We were displaced, killed… there’s nothing left for us, we want peace,” Mamdouh al-Jadba, who was displaced to Gaza City from Jabalia, told AFP.
“I hope Trump finds a solution, we need someone strong like Trump to end the war and save us, enough, God, this is enough,” said the 60-year-old.
” I was displaced three times, my house was destroyed, my children are homeless in the south… There’s nothing left, Gaza is finished.”
Umm Ahmed Harb, from the Al-Shaaf area east of Gaza City, was also counting on Trump to “stand by our side” and end the territory’s suffering.
“God willing the war will end, not for our sake but for the sake of our young children who are innocent, they were martyred and are dying of hunger,” she said.
“We cannot buy anything with the high prices (of food). We are here in fear, terror and death.”
For Palestinians in the occupied West Bank, where violence has also surged since October last year, Trump’s victory was reason to fear for the future.
“Trump is firm in some decisions, but these decisions could serve Israel’s interests politically more than they serve the Palestinian cause,” said Samir Abu Jundi, a 60-year-old in the city of Ramallah.
Another man who identified himself only by his nickname, Abu Mohammed, said he also saw no reason to believe Trump’s victory would be in favour of the Palestinians, saying “nothing will change except more decline”.
He said all US presidents “are in favour of the State of Israel”, the Palestinian from east Jerusalem.
The United States is Israel’s main political and military backer and despite pressure from President Joe Biden’s administration for a ceasefire, the support has not wavered.
