Hamas is calling for an “immediate end” to the war in Gaza, following former President Donald Trump’s historic electoral victory on Tuesday.
Speaking exclusively to Newsweek, Hamas spokesperson Basem Naim urged a swift cessation of hostilities while calling for support of Arab sovereignty.
“Palestinians look forward to an immediate cessation of the aggression against our people, especially in Gaza, and look for assistance in achieving their legitimate rights of freedom, independence, and the establishment of their independent self-sovereign state with Jerusalem as its capital,” Naim stated.
Unsurprisingly, the Hamas spokesman also demanded an end to America’s “blind support” for Israel, describing Israeli leadership as a “fascist government” whose actions threaten regional stability.
Many of Prime Minister Netanyahu’s coalition partners view Trump’s first term as a golden age for Israel, citing the former president’s decision to move the US embassy to Jerusalem, his recognition of Israeli sovereignty over the Golan Heights, and his declaration that Israeli settlements should not be considered illegal under international law.
In fact, Netanyahu was one of the first international leaders to congratulate Trump on what he called “history’s greatest comeback,” and the two leaders later held on Wednesday what Israeli officials described as a “warm and cordial” conversation focusing on Israel’s security and the Iranian threat.
Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas also extended congratulations to Trump, despite having previously condemned many of Trump’s Middle East policies. Abbas expressed “his aspiration to work with President Trump for peace and security in the region” while emphasizing Arab commitment to “freedom, self-determination and statehood, in accordance with international law.”
Trump has often claimed the Gaza war would not have occurred had he remained in office following his first stint as president. During his victory speech early Wednesday, he promised to “stop wars rather than start them.”
“You know, we had no wars four years we had no wars, except we defeated ISIS, we defeated ISIS in record time. But we had no wars. They said ‘he will start a war’. I’m not going to start a war. I’m going to stop wars.”
