Hamas Calls for an End to Israeli Aggression: In light of Donald Trump’s re-election as the 47th President of the United States, a senior Hamas official, Basem Naim, has called for an immediate halt to Israel's military operations in Gaza. Naim, a member of Hamas' Political Bureau, emphasized the ongoing escalation of the Israel-Hamas conflict and urged for an international effort to support Palestinian statehood. He expressed hope that the new U.S. administration would take action to end the aggression against Palestinians, particularly in Gaza.

Condemnation of U.S. Support for Israel

Naim criticized what he described as the “blind support” that the U.S. has provided to Israel, particularly under Trump’s administration. He labeled the Israeli government as “fascist” and urged for the cessation of U.S. backing, which he believes undermines Palestinian efforts for freedom, independence, and the creation of an independent state with Jerusalem as its capital.

Trump’s Close Ties with Netanyahu and Israel

Trump's first term in office saw a notably close relationship between the U.S. and Israel, particularly under Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Netanyahu, who has been engaged in a prolonged military conflict with Hamas, was one of the first world leaders to congratulate Trump on his victory. He hailed the victory as a "new beginning" for the U.S. and underscored the importance of the U.S.-Israel alliance in ensuring regional stability.

Despite their past cooperation, Trump has voiced criticism of Netanyahu's handling of the ongoing conflict, calling for a more effective approach to resolving the war.

Biden Administration Faces Criticism

The Biden administration continues to provide military support to Israel but has faced mounting criticism from both pro-Palestinian groups and supporters of Israel. Critics argue that the U.S. has not done enough to prevent civilian casualties in Gaza and has failed to exert enough pressure on Israel to scale back its military actions.

Palestinian Leaders Call for U.S. Support on Statehood

Following Trump’s election, both Hamas and Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas expressed hopes that the U.S. would support Palestinian statehood. Abbas, who leads the Palestinian Authority in the West Bank, emphasized his people's commitment to "freedom, self-determination, and statehood" and expressed his desire to cooperate with Trump for a peaceful resolution.

Trump’s Middle East Policies Under Scrutiny

Trump’s Middle East policies, including his controversial decision to move the U.S. embassy to Jerusalem and his “deal of the century” proposal, have been heavily debated. His peace plan, which would grant Israel significant control over the West Bank while offering limited autonomy to Palestinians, was rejected by Palestinian factions. Despite this, Trump succeeded in brokering the Abraham Accords, normalizing relations between Israel and several Arab nations, such as the UAE, Bahrain, Sudan, and Morocco.

Hamas Calls for an End to U.S. Military Support

Hamas reiterated its call for the U.S. to halt military support to Israel, viewing it as part of the broader “occupation.” The statement also urged Trump to listen to the voices of American citizens who have raised concerns about Israel's actions in Gaza. Hamas emphasized that the U.S. should recognize the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people, including the establishment of an independent state.

Trump’s Stance on Military Engagements and the Middle East

Trump has consistently opposed further military engagements in the Middle East, advocating for “America First” policies. In his victory speech, he stressed his desire to avoid foreign conflicts, stating that the U.S. had “no wars” during his first term. Despite this, Trump has criticized President Biden’s handling of the conflict, accusing him of being too lenient with Iran and mismanaging the situation.

Diplomatic Tensions Expected to Continue

As Trump prepares for his second term, the diplomatic tensions surrounding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict are expected to remain high. His decisions regarding U.S. military aid to Israel and his stance on Palestinian statehood will be central points of debate, both domestically and internationally.