A senior Hamas official has called for an immediate halt to Israel's ongoing military operations in Gaza and stressed the need for a plan to achieve Palestinian statehood, following the election of former President Donald Trump to a second term.
"The election of Trump as the 47th president of the USA is a private matter for the Americans," said Basem Naim, a member of Hamas's Political Bureau, in comments shared with *Newsweek*. "But Palestinians demand an immediate cessation of the aggression against our people, especially in Gaza. We also seek assistance in securing our legitimate rights to freedom, independence, and the establishment of an independent state with Jerusalem as its capital."
Naim further criticized the U.S. for what he described as "blind support" for Israel and its government, which he referred to as "fascist." He called for an immediate end to this support, claiming it jeopardizes both the future of the Palestinian people and the stability of the wider region.
During his previous presidency, Trump developed a close relationship with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who is currently engaged in a multi-front war against the Iran-backed Axis of Resistance. The conflict, which escalated following a large-scale Hamas-led attack on Israel in October 2023, has drawn varying responses from the U.S. political establishment. While Trump has expressed criticism of Netanyahu's wartime leadership, he has also called for a swift conclusion to the fighting.
An Israeli official, speaking to *Newsweek*, reiterated the importance of the U.S.-Israel relationship. "Maintaining and building upon the special relationship between the U.S. and Israel has been a bipartisan feature of American politics since the founding of the Jewish state," the official said. "We have no doubt that this will continue, and we look forward to working with the new administration to promote a peaceful and secure Middle East."
Netanyahu, who was among the first to congratulate Trump on his victory, emphasized the "historic" nature of Trump's return to the White House and pledged to strengthen the U.S.-Israel alliance. The two leaders reportedly discussed regional security concerns, including the Iranian threat.
Hamas, in a statement issued Wednesday, also called for an end to Israel's military campaign in Lebanon and urged the U.S. to cease its military and political support for Israel. They further demanded the U.S. recognize Palestinian "legitimate rights" and listen to growing voices within American society calling for an end to the Gaza conflict.
In contrast, Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas, who governs the West Bank and is in rivalry with Hamas, also congratulated Trump but expressed hope for renewed efforts toward peace and security. Despite their differences, both Hamas and Abbas had previously criticized Trump's policies during his first term, including his decision to move the U.S. embassy to Jerusalem and his 2020 "Deal of the Century" plan, which was widely rejected by Palestinians.
The proposal, which sought to resolve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, included controversial provisions such as Israeli sovereignty over parts of the West Bank, the disarming of Palestinian factions, and recognition of Israel as a Jewish state. While the plan faced fierce opposition in the Arab world, Trump successfully brokered the Abraham Accords, which saw several Arab nations establish diplomatic ties with Israel.
Trump's stance on foreign policy, particularly regarding Iran and Israel, has remained a key point of contention between him and his rivals. During his election night victory speech, Trump reiterated his commitment to avoiding new conflicts in the Middle East, claiming that "under my presidency, we had no wars" and vowing to "stop wars" rather than start them.
As the Israel-Hamas conflict continues to escalate, with fighting now involving Hezbollah and other regional actors, the international community remains divided on the path forward.
Post a Comment