Just a day after President-elect Donald Trump’s victory, senior Hamas officials have called for an “immediate” end to the conflict with Israel, a shift that follows a year of intense violence in Gaza. Basem Naim, a Hamas spokesperson, told Newsweek that Trump’s return to the White House is “a private matter for the Americans” but expressed hope for a halt to what he described as “aggression” against Palestinians, especially in Gaza. Naim added that the group is seeking support to achieve the “legitimate rights” of Palestinians, including the establishment of an independent state with Jerusalem as its capital.
In less than 24 hours after Trump’s presidential win, Hamas is already calling to end its war with Israel.
This is what “peace through strength” looks like. pic.twitter.com/tvpQfV5TDS
— Elizabeth Weibel (@elfaddis) November 7, 2024
Hamas’s call for peace is particularly significant given the deepening hostilities between Israel and Gaza-based militants over the past year, triggered by a large-scale Hamas-led attack on Israel in October 2023. That attack, which resulted in over 1,200 Israeli deaths and numerous hostages taken, set off a cascade of retaliatory strikes from Israel, leading to severe casualties and widespread destruction in Gaza. With Trump’s election victory, Hamas officials are now hoping for a change in U.S. policy, especially regarding what they describe as “blind support” for Israel.
This is what “Peace through Strength” looks like.
Hamas Calls for ‘Immediate’ End to War After Trump Election Winhttps://t.co/uFJkun0Bu3
— Cory Mills (@CoryMillsFL) November 7, 2024
Newsweek reports that Trump’s relationship with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is expected to factor heavily into future U.S.-Israel relations. While Trump and Netanyahu had a close alliance during Trump’s previous term, recent events have strained their rapport, with Trump criticizing Netanyahu’s wartime strategies and advocating for a resolution to the conflict. In the wake of Trump’s victory, Netanyahu was one of the first world leaders to congratulate him, calling it “history’s greatest comeback.”
Meanwhile, Israeli officials reiterated their commitment to maintaining a strong U.S.-Israel relationship, viewing bipartisan American support as vital to Israel’s security. In a statement to *Newsweek*, an Israeli representative expressed optimism about collaborating with Trump’s administration to achieve “a more peaceful, secure, and prosperous Middle East.”
However, some Palestinians voiced apprehension about Trump’s return, fearing it could spell increased difficulties. Abu Osama, a Gaza resident displaced by the ongoing conflict, told *Reuters* that Trump’s victory felt like a “new catastrophe,” predicting greater political hardship for the Palestinian people.
So far, international efforts by U.S., Qatari, and Egyptian diplomats to broker a ceasefire have yet to succeed. Nonetheless, with Hamas signaling a potential readiness to end hostilities, Trump’s second term may bring renewed diplomatic opportunities, even as both sides brace for further challenges.
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