Hamas Urges End to Israel Conflict Following Trump’s Election Victory
A high-ranking Hamas official has called for an immediate end to Israel’s military actions in Gaza and a renewed effort toward Palestinian statehood, following Donald Trump’s recent election win.
“The election of Trump as the 47th president is a U.S. matter,” Hamas Political Bureau member Basem Naim told Newsweek. “But we look forward to an immediate end to the aggression against our people, especially in Gaza, and support for our right to freedom, independence, and a sovereign state with Jerusalem as its capital.”
Naim also criticized what he described as the U.S. administration’s “blind support” for Israel at the expense of Palestinian rights and regional stability.
Trump’s Relationship with Israel and Netanyahu
During his previous term, Trump was a close ally to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, now leading Israel in a complex conflict involving multiple fronts, beginning with a large Hamas-led attack on Israel in October 2023. However, Trump recently voiced criticism of Netanyahu’s wartime approach, advocating for a quick resolution to the conflict.
An Israeli official told Newsweek that U.S.-Israel relations have long been a bipartisan priority, adding that they expect continued collaboration with Trump’s administration to promote peace and security in the Middle East.
After Trump’s victory, Netanyahu congratulated him on what he described as “history’s greatest comeback,” and later had a “warm and cordial” discussion with him, focusing on Israel’s security and the shared concern over Iran.
Growing U.S. Policy Debate on Middle East Conflict
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The ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict, which has extended to include Israeli actions against Hezbollah in Lebanon and clashes with other Iran-aligned factions, remains a divisive issue in the U.S. Biden’s administration has faced criticism from pro-Israel advocates who seek stronger support for Israel, while pro-Palestinian groups call for stricter limits on military assistance to Israel to protect civilians.
Vice President Kamala Harris echoed the administration’s stance by advocating for peace and civilian protections while maintaining support for arms sales to Israel.
On Wednesday, Hamas urged the U.S. to “stop military support and political backing for Israel” and called on Trump to heed American voices opposing the Gaza conflict and “rejecting support for the Zionist entity.”
Abbas’ Reaction and Palestinian Aspirations for Statehood
West Bank-based Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas also congratulated Trump, emphasizing hopes for working together toward peace and a Palestinian state based on international law. Abbas underscored Palestinians’ commitment to freedom, self-determination, and peace, voicing confidence in U.S. support under Trump’s leadership.
Both Hamas and Abbas’ administration opposed Trump’s prior policies, including his 2018 relocation of the U.S. embassy to Jerusalem and his 2020 Middle East peace plan, often labeled as the “deal of the century.” The proposal aimed to establish a Palestinian state under significant restrictions, but it did not gain traction.
Although Trump’s peace plan stalled, his administration achieved the Abraham Accords, which led the UAE, Bahrain, Sudan, and Morocco to formalize relations with Israel. Trump’s previous term also saw rising U.S.-Iran tensions, especially after Washington’s 2018 exit from the Iran nuclear deal and the 2020 killing of IRGC General Qassem Soleimani.
Trump’s Campaign Position on Middle East Conflicts
In his victory speech, Trump vowed to maintain a strong military while avoiding conflict, boasting of peace during his last term. “They said, ‘He will start a war,’” he remarked. “I’m not going to start a war. I’m going to stop wars.”
