Rabat – With Donald Trump set to return to the White House after winning the presidential elections, the world is closely watching to see how his administration might influence the ongoing Israel war on Gaza and Lebanon.
Trump’s previous “America First” approach drastically impacted US foreign policy and relations with key players in the region. Now, with wars in Gaza and Lebanon, his return could have significant implications for both.
The president’s strong alignment with Israeli interests during his first term included several moves like relocating the US Embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem and recognizing the occupied Golan Heights in Syria as part of Israel.
His recent statements indicate a willingness to stand firmly with Israel, even as the war on Gaza intensifies. Trump’s alignment with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu suggests he may support further Israeli aggression in Gaza, prioritizing Israel’s “defense” while offering little restraint on its strategies.
Trump has previously told Netanyahu to “do what you have to do” and “get it over with fast” in response to Israel’s attacks on Gaza and Lebanon. He also repeatedly insisted that he can end ongoing wars in Ukraine and Gaza within weeks.
Such a stance could further strain conditions in Gaza, where the humanitarian crisis continues to escalate, and diplomatic efforts for a ceasefire remain fragile. The Trump administration’s close relationship with Netanyahu may mean fewer pressures on Israel to compromise, potentially reducing avenues for peace or de-escalation in the near term.
Netanyahu has once described Trump as the “best friend that Israel has ever had in the White House.”
Read also: Who is Donald Trump? What Americans Can Expect for New Term, Key Moments of Last Presidency
And unlike Kamala Harris, Trump did not specify his planned approach for the ongoing war during his election campaign or how his policies would differ from those of Joe Biden.
Leader of the Palestinian National Initiative Mustafa Barghouti said that “Netanyahu will face a much tougher president than he is used to in the sense that I don’t think that Trump would tolerate the wars in the manner that they are happening.” But he added that this would not make much difference for Palestinians “because both administrations were totally biased” towards Israel.
Al Jazeera’s Hani Mahmoud, reporting from Central Gaza, said that “there’s fear that more pro-Israel support will lead to a deepening of the atrocities committed across the Gaza Strip and will eventually lead to emptying northern Gaza.”
Meanwhile, Lebanon faces a complex situation where the US-Israel alignment could heighten tensions involving Hezbollah, the Lebanese group supported by Iran. Trump’s return may embolden Israel to act more assertively against Hezbollah, especially if the group increases its support for Hamas or escalates tensions along Israel’s northern border.
While Trump has not detailed his approach to Lebanon specifically, his administration’s apparent support for Israel and tougher stance on Iran could indirectly influence Hezbollah’s operations and further strain Lebanon’s stability.
For Lebanon, already dealing with severe economic instability and a fragile political landscape on top of Israel’s continued bombardement, an escalation involving Hezbollah could lead to destabilizing effects, especially that the Trump administration is likely to prioritize a strong pro-Israel stance.
Under Trump’s previous term, the Abraham Accords marked a historic normalization between Israel and several Arab states. Trump has indicated an interest in expanding these accords, which might bring new diplomatic relationships, though very unlikely, but may not address the pressing needs of Palestinians or provide relief for Gaza.
