A senior Hamas official has called for an immediate halt to Israel’s military operations in Gaza and urged renewed support for Palestinian statehood following former President Donald Trump’s re-election.
In an exclusive interview with Newsweek, Hamas Political Bureau member Basem Naim stated, “The election of Trump as the 47th president of the USA is a private matter for the Americans, but Palestinians look forward to an immediate cessation of the aggression against our people, especially in Gaza, and seek support for our legitimate rights of freedom, independence, and the establishment of a sovereign state with Jerusalem as its capital.”
Naim criticized longstanding U.S. support for Israel, calling for an end to what he described as “blind support for the Zionist entity and its fascist government,” which he argued undermines regional stability. Hamas officials also condemned Israel’s widening military campaign beyond Gaza, including airstrikes in Lebanon and clashes with pro-Iran factions across the Middle East.
Trump’s previous administration cultivated close ties with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, despite current criticisms Trump has voiced regarding Netanyahu’s leadership in the conflict. In response to Trump’s victory, an Israeli official affirmed the “special relationship” between the U.S. and Israel, expressing optimism that Trump’s new term would continue to support a “peaceful, secure, and prosperous Middle East.”
While President Biden and Netanyahu recently clashed over the scope of Israel’s military campaign, Netanyahu welcomed Trump’s return as an opportunity to strengthen U.S.-Israel alliances, calling it “history’s greatest comeback.” The Israeli leader also spoke with Trump to reaffirm cooperation on Israeli security and shared concerns over Iran.
The escalating Israel-Hamas war has prompted divergent reactions within U.S. foreign policy circles. President Biden has provided extensive military aid to Israel while advocating for measures to minimize civilian harm, leading to critiques from pro-Palestinian advocates and some Israeli supporters. Vice President Kamala Harris echoed Biden’s stance, affirming U.S. support for Israel’s defense while urging a swift path to peace.
Meanwhile, the Palestinian National Authority President Mahmoud Abbas also extended congratulations to Trump, voicing hopes for renewed efforts towards peace and regional security. Abbas reiterated Palestinians’ commitment to self-determination and statehood, a vision previously hindered by the “deal of the century” and the 2018 U.S. embassy relocation to Jerusalem under Trump’s administration.
Trump’s past policy moves, such as the Abraham Accords normalizing relations between Israel and select Arab nations, along with increased pressure on Iran, have added complexity to the Middle East peace process. Trump’s statements following his election emphasize military strength while avoiding new conflicts, underscoring his priority for diplomacy over war.
Hamas officials, Abbas, and other Palestinian leaders now look to the U.S. to play a renewed role in mediating peace and promoting Palestinian statehood aspirations as Trump prepares to assume office once again.
