Palestinians Mourn Trump’s Win, Leaders Call for Peace
Cairo/West Bank/Gaza, November 6 (Reuters) – After over a year of fighting with Israel, Palestinians voiced their concern about Donald Trump’s possible return to the White House. Leaders from Hamas and the Palestinian Authority called on him to work for peace.
Abu Osama, 42, who was forced to flee his home in southern Gaza city of Khan Younis because of the continuous Israeli bombardment of his neighborhood, described Trump’s victory as “yet another disaster in Palestinian history.”
“Even with all the devastation, loss of life and dislocation we have faced, the future will be even more difficult and politically catastrophic,” Abu Osama told Reuters.
Health officials in Gaza said more than 43,300 Palestinians had been killed in more than a year of fighting that has left large swaths of territory in ruins.
The fighting began on Oct. 7, 2023, when militants loyal to Hamas launched a surprise attack on Israel that killed about 1,200 people and saw 251 others taken hostage to Gaza, according to Israeli officials.
The efforts by the US so far, and the Arab mediators from Qatar and Egypt, have been unable to establish a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas that would bring the fighting to an end and guarantee the freeing of both Israeli and international hostages in Gaza and Palestinians imprisoned in Israel.
Hamas Calls for an End to “Unthinking Support” for Israel Following US Elections
Hamas said that the result of the U.S. election was a matter for the American people to decide, but urged the United States to end its “blind unconditional support” for Israel.
“Hamas official Sami Abu Zuhri told Reuters, ‘We urge Trump to take lessons from Biden’s errors,’ underlining that Trump too would come under scrutiny over his claim that he would be able to end the war within hours of taking office.”
Under the Biden administration, the U.S. has continuously pledged diplomatic support and military assistance to Israel, as Secretary of State Antony Blinken works on a ceasefire proposal. But what happens to Trump’s policy remains to be seen as he was among the strongest supporters of Israel’s government during his earlier term.
Abbas Sends Congratulations, Calls for Cooperation
In the West Bank, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas – a foe of Hamas – congratulated Trump while demonstrating his eagerness to work with the new administration for regional peace.
“Abbas said in a statement, ‘We remain committed to peace and believe that under your leadership, the U.S. will support the just causes of the Palestinian people.’
A few Palestinians sounded skeptical, saying they saw little difference between Trump and his opponent, Kamala Harris, the defeated vice-presidential candidate. Yet for many Palestinians, Trump’s recognition of Jerusalem as Israel’s capital in his first term earned him a reputation as friendlier to Israel than his opponent.
“We, as Arabs and Palestinians, are not stupid,” said Khaled Dasuso, a food storeowner in Khan Younis. “We must know who the actual enemy is-they are our rivals.”
Others, however held on to a glimmer of hope. “I think if Donald Trump is elected, he would fulfill his pledge toward American Muslims to end the war in Gaza” “We are optimistic” Mohammad Barghouti said an engineer from Gaza.
