Hamas official: Trump’s victory will not help solve Palestinian problems

A senior official from the Islamic group Hamas said he does not believe Donald Trump’s victory in the US presidential election will help resolve Palestinian problems.

Osama Hamdan of Hamas’s political bureau spoke to NHK in an online interview on Thursday. This came after it was revealed that Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu agreed to work together for Israel’s security during phone calls on Wednesday.

Hamdan accused Trump’s previous administration of pushing an overly pro-Israel agenda. He said this approach brings great harm to Palestinians and attempts to solve their problems.

Hamdan also said a recent temporary ceasefire for the Gaza Strip lacked legitimacy. The proposal aimed to break the deadlock in ceasefire negotiations for the enclave.

Hamdan reiterated Hamas’s call for a permanent ceasefire and the complete withdrawal of Israeli troops from Gaza as conditions for Hamas to enter into an agreement with Israel.

The official stressed that Hamas will continue to resist as long as Israeli forces launch attacks.