A senior official from Hamas has urged for an immediate halt to Israel's military actions in the Gaza Strip and emphasized the need for a strategy to attain Palestinian statehood, as reported following Donald Trump's election victory. Basem Naim, a member and spokesperson of Hamas's Political Bureau, stated that while Trump's presidency is a matter for Americans, Palestinians are eager for an end to the violence against them, particularly in Gaza, and seek support in realizing their rights to freedom, independence, and the establishment of a sovereign state with Jerusalem as its capital. He further criticized the unwavering support for Israel and its government, asserting that it jeopardizes the future of the Palestinian people and the overall security and stability of the region. During his previous term, Trump developed a strong alliance with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who is currently involved in a multifaceted conflict against the Iran-aligned Axis of Resistance, initiated by a significant Hamas-led assault on Israel in October 2023. Nonetheless, Trump has also voiced discontent with Netanyahu's leadership during the war and has advocated for a prompt resolution to the ongoing conflict.
An Israeli official commented that the enduring and evolving partnership between the United States and Israel has consistently been a bipartisan aspect of American political life since the establishment of the Jewish state. The official expressed confidence that this trend will persist, emphasizing the anticipation of a robust collaborative relationship with the current administration aimed at fostering a more peaceful, secure, and prosperous Middle East.
Despite ongoing tensions between President Joe Biden and Prime Minister Netanyahu regarding the war, the Israeli leader was quick to congratulate Trump on what has been termed "history's greatest comeback." In his statement, Netanyahu highlighted that Trump's return to the White House signifies a fresh start for America and a reaffirmation of the strong alliance between Israel and the United States. Following this, Netanyahu engaged in a "warm and cordial" conversation with Trump, during which they agreed to collaborate on Israel's security and addressed the Iranian threat.
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Hezbollah and the Iranian Permanent Mission to the United Nations have been approached for their comments. The ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict, which has escalated to include Israeli military actions against Hezbollah in Lebanon and retaliatory strikes from various factions in Iraq, Syria, and Yemen, has emerged as a contentious issue in U.S. foreign policy. President Biden has faced criticism from both supporters of Israel, who argue he is not providing sufficient support, and pro-Palestinian advocates, who claim he is not adequately restraining Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu. Vice President Kamala Harris has largely aligned with the administration's stance, advocating for peace while expressing concern for civilians affected by the conflict, yet she has rejected proposals to halt arms sales to Israel. In a recent statement, Hamas urged an end to Israel's military actions in Lebanon and called on the U.S. to cease its military support and political backing of Israel, emphasizing the need to acknowledge the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people.
Palestinian National Authority President Mahmoud Abbas, who heads the government in the West Bank that competes with Hamas in Gaza, extended his congratulations to Trump following his election victory on Wednesday. Abbas conveyed his desire to collaborate with President Trump to achieve peace and security in the region, emphasizing the Palestinian commitment to pursue freedom, self-determination, and statehood in line with international law, as reported by the Palestine News and Information Agency (WAFA). He affirmed the Palestinian dedication to peace and expressed confidence that the United States, under Trump's leadership, would support the legitimate aspirations of the Palestinian people. Notably, both Hamas and Abbas had previously criticized Trump's Middle East policies during his presidency, including the controversial relocation of the U.S. embassy to Jerusalem in 2018 and his 2020 proposal aimed at resolving the long-standing Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
The proposal, often referred to as the "deal of the century," aimed to give Israel authority over Jewish settlements in the West Bank and areas along the Jordanian border that lack international recognition. It stipulated that Hamas and other Palestinian groups would be disarmed, Palestinians would acknowledge Israel as a Jewish state, and they would be prohibited from engaging in international organizations without Israeli approval. Additionally, the plan included provisions for Palestinians to receive some territory in the desert along the Israel-Egypt border and access to international investments.
One of the proposal's most ambitious elements was the suggestion to create a tunnel linking the West Bank and Gaza. Despite its lack of traction in the Arab world, Trump successfully facilitated the Abraham Accords later that year, resulting in the establishment of diplomatic relations between Israel and the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Sudan, and Morocco.
During this period, Trump also presided over escalating tensions between the United States and Iran, particularly following the U.S. exit from a multilateral nuclear agreement in 2018 and the assassination of Major General Qassem Soleimani, the head of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Quds Force, in Iraq in 2020.
President elected Donald J Trump has criticized Biden and Harris for being too lenient towards Iran, claiming that the conflict with Hamas wouldn't have occurred if he were still in office. He also accused his Democratic opponents of trying to escalate tensions in the Middle East, which he promises to prevent.
During his victory speech on election night, Trump emphasized the importance of a strong military, stating that ideally, it wouldn't need to be used. He pointed out that during his presidency, there were no wars, except for the swift defeat of ISIS. Trump reassured his supporters that he would not initiate any wars, but rather focus on stopping them.
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