As Donald Trump emerged victorious in the U.S. presidential election, many residents of Gaza, who have been enduring the horrors of war with Israel, are pinning their hopes on the incoming leader to bring an end to the devastating conflict that has displaced thousands and claimed many lives.

The war, ignited by Hamas's October 7 attack on Israel, has inflicted an appalling toll on Gaza, leaving most of its population displaced, causing widespread hunger, and overwhelming hospitals that are struggling to cope with the influx of casualties. The humanitarian situation has become dire, with both infrastructure and basic resources being destroyed, while residents find themselves living in constant fear, death, and suffering.

Mamdouh al-Jadba, a 60-year-old man displaced from Jabalia to Gaza City, shared his despair with AFP, saying, "We were displaced, killed... there's nothing left for us, we want peace." His voice, full of anguish, reflected the desperation felt by many in the region. 

He went on to express hope that Trump, whom he viewed as a strong figure, could intervene and bring an end to the war. "I hope Trump finds a solution, we need someone strong like Trump to end the war and save us, enough, God, this is enough," he said. For al-Jadba, who has already been displaced three times, the conflict has taken everything from him, including his home and his children's future. "Gaza is finished," he added.

Umm Ahmed Harb, another resident from the Al-Shaaf area east of Gaza City, echoed al-Jadba's plea, stressing the suffering of innocent children. "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 told AFP. 

Harb described the dire conditions in Gaza, with families unable to afford food amid soaring prices and a constant sense of fear and death surrounding them. "We cannot buy anything with the high prices (of food). We are here in fear, terror, and death," she said.

While many in Gaza are hoping that Trump will act decisively to bring an end to the war, some Palestinians in the occupied West Bank fear that his victory might not lead to positive outcomes for their cause. 

Samir Abu Jundi, a 60-year-old from Ramallah, expressed skepticism, stating that Trump's firm decisions might ultimately serve Israel's political interests rather than those of the Palestinians. "Trump is firm in some decisions, but these decisions could serve Israel's interests politically more than they serve the Palestinian cause," Abu Jundi explained.

Another Palestinian in Ramallah, who identified himself as Abu Mohammed, shared a similar sentiment. He felt that despite Trump's rhetoric, nothing would change for the Palestinians. "Nothing will change except more decline," he said, reflecting a widespread sense of distrust in the U.S. administration's stance toward Palestine. "All U.S. presidents are in favor of the State of Israel," he added.

Despite these concerns, Gaza residents still hold on to a glimmer of hope, partly because of Trump's past statements and actions during his first term in office. Under his leadership, the U.S. moved its embassy to Jerusalem, recognized Israeli sovereignty over the Golan Heights, and brokered the Abraham Accords, which normalized relations between Israel and several Arab states. 

For many Palestinians, these actions were seen as a betrayal of their aspirations for statehood and were met with criticism from Hamas. However, Trump has maintained a reputation for strong leadership and the ability to influence international matters, which has given rise to hopes that he could bring an end to the current conflict.

Trump's victory speech, during which he reiterated his promise to bring peace to the region and end ongoing wars, resonated with some Gazans. Ibrahim Alian, a 33-year-old resident of Gaza City who has been displaced multiple times by the fighting, expressed cautious optimism, saying, "We expect peace to come and the war to end with Trump because in his election campaign he said that he wants peace and calls for stopping the wars on Gaza and the Middle East."

Alian's sentiments reflect a shared desire among Gaza's residents for an end to the suffering and violence. He also tragically lost his father in the ongoing war, further deepening the anguish he and many others in the region feel. "God willing the war on the Gaza Strip will end and the situation will change," he said, echoing a widespread longing for peace in a region ravaged by years of conflict.

The ongoing war has already had a catastrophic impact, with an estimated 43,391 people in Gaza killed, the majority of whom are civilians, according to figures from the Hamas-run health ministry. 

In contrast, Israel has reported 1,206 deaths, mostly civilians, in the aftermath of the October 7 attack. These staggering figures underscore the devastating human cost of the war and highlight the urgent need for intervention from global leaders.

Trump has promised that his leadership will bring an end to international crises, claiming that he could "stop wars with a telephone call." In Gaza, many residents see these statements as a glimmer of hope, believing that Trump might be able to use his influence to end the conflict and bring stability to the region. 

For them, the prospect of peace under Trump's leadership is something they are desperate for, as they endure the daily horrors of war, displacement, and loss.

Whether or not Trump's presidency will lead to a resolution of the Israel-Palestine conflict remains uncertain, but for Gaza’s residents, the hope for peace remains a powerful force driving their plea for change.

[AFP inputs]