Amid escalating conflict and a landscape of destruction, Palestinians have expressed concern over Donald Trump’s return to the U.S. presidency, fearing his administration may reinforce American support for Israel. Palestinian leaders, however, emphasized a commitment to peace and urged the incoming administration to adopt a balanced approach.


In Gaza’s Khan Younis, displaced resident Abu Osama referred to Trump’s win as a “new catastrophe” for Palestinians, anticipating that the political landscape could become even more challenging. Over 43,300 Palestinians have been killed since the Gaza war erupted in October 2023 following a Hamas attack on Israel, which resulted in approximately 1,200 Israeli casualties and 251 hostages taken to Gaza.


So far, attempts by the U.S. and mediators from Qatar and Egypt to broker a ceasefire and secure hostage releases have not succeeded. Hamas, while stating that U.S. election results are for Americans, expressed hopes for an end to America’s “blind support” of Israel, encouraging Trump to avoid the “mistakes” of the Biden administration.


In the West Bank, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas extended congratulations to Trump, committing to work with his administration to pursue regional peace. He expressed hope that the U.S. would support Palestinian aspirations, though some Palestinians remain skeptical, recalling Trump’s recognition of Jerusalem as Israel’s capital during his previous term.


Despite prevailing doubts, some Palestinians, such as Gaza engineer Mohammed Barghouthi, remain hopeful that Trump’s promises to address the Gaza conflict could signal a shift in policy.


As Palestinians continue to navigate the challenges posed by the conflict and geopolitical shifts, the coming months will reveal how Trump's approach to the Middle East could impact the prospects for peace in the region.