‘Immediate’: Trump team’s huge war claim

Donald Trump has not even set foot in office yet, but already his team is making a major claim about his impact on global affairs.

Incoming US president Donald Trump’s pledge to end wars raging in Europe and the Middle East is about to be put to the test – but his backers are already celebrating him achieving that feat before he’s even set foot in office.

Mr Trump’s eldest son, Donald Trump Jr has claimed Hamas was dramatically calling for an end to conflict with Israel within hours of his father’s crushing election win over Kamala Harris.

Taking to X overnight, Mr Trump Jr shared a clipping from a Newsweek report of the Palestinian militant group demanding an “immediate” end to the fighting.

“It took about 12 hours after my father‘s election win for Hamas to call for peace!” he wrote.

“@realDonaldTrump isn’t even president yet and he’s already getting it done. Spectacular.”

It took about 12 hours after my father‘s election win for Hamas to call for peace! @realDonaldTrump isn’t even president yet and he’s already getting it done. Spectacular. pic.twitter.com/mRaPN2dJs3

— Donald Trump Jr. (@DonaldJTrumpJr) November 7, 2024

The report cited a statement from Hamas Political Bureau member and spokesperson Basem Naim, who said Mr Trump’s election as the US’s 47th president was “a private matter for the Americans”.

“But 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,” he added.

“The blind support for the Zionist entity ‘Israel’ and its fascist government, at the expense of the future of our people and the security and stability of the region, must stop immediately.”

The war in Gaza, which has since expanded to include a front with Hamas’ allies in Lebanon, Hezbollah, and long-range exchanges with the Iranian government, is one of two major conflicts president-elect Trump has promised to end on return to the White House.

In the lead up to the US election, Mr Trump stated he could end the gruelling war between Russia and Ukraine “within 24 hours” but has not given detail on how that could occur.

“I can’t give you those plans because if I give you those plans, I’m not going to be able to use them,” he told the Joe Rogan Experience.

Critics fear Mr Trump will withdraw US military aid from Ukraine, potentially forcing it to negotiate with Vladimir Putin and cede territory to him.

The Wall Street Journal recently cited sources “close to the president-elect” to report Mr Trump’s transition office was considering a proposal to block Kyiv from joining NATO for 20 years in exchange for continuing weapons supply.

The plan would also reportedly include an “800-mile” demilitarised zone being put in place that would force Ukraine to lose up to 20 per cent of its territory.

The “America first” Mr Trump has been an outspoken critic of NATO claiming European nations did not pay their fare share, and once threatened to pull the US out of the alliance.

His victory has been welcomed by the leaders of both countries, with Russian dictator Mr Putin on Friday saying he was ready for talks with the “courageous man”.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky congratulated Mr Trump but has expressed concerns about the desire for a “quick decision” on ending hostilities.

“He wants this war to be finished,” Mr Zelensky said.

“We all want to end this war, but a fair ending … If it is very fast, it’s going to be a loss for Ukraine.”

He went on to say making any concessions to Russia would be “suicidal for Europe”.

Ukraine has depended on military aid from the US and Europe to continue resisting Russia’s 2022 invasion, with outgoing President Joe Biden advancing an “as long as it takes” approach.

The battle between Hamas and Israel has raged since October 2023 following the October 7 terror attack by Hamas operatives, which killed more than 1000 people across the border.

Israel’s response has killed more than 40,000 people in Palestinian territories, and the escalating conflict now includes warfare with Hezbollah and Iran.

The Hamas statement to Newsweek, referred to by Mr Trump Jr, echoed many of the talking points Hamas has disseminated for months.

Despite this, the statement has been framed by president-elect Mr Trump’s supporters as a breakthrough in the war.

Some of the other high-profile personalities pushing the rhetoric of Mr Trump’s election already ending both wars include confidant Elon Musk, YouTuber and boxer Jake Paul alongside a wave of right wing influencer accounts.

“And just like that … peace through strength is back,” one account named after iconic TV character Kenny Powers wrote.

But Hamas has been publicly calling for a ceasefire for some time, even if it has refused to release the dozens of Israeli hostages it still holds after the October 7 attacks.

On October 30, a Hamas official said the group would discuss any ideas for a ceasefire that included an Israeli withdrawal, but had not officially received any comprehensive proposals.

“We are prepared to engage with any ideas or proposals presented to us, provided they ultimately lead to an end to the war and a withdrawal by the army from the (Gaza) Strip,” the official told AFP.

A Hamas spokesperson on Wednesday, US time, said its position on the new American presidential administration” depends on its positions and practical behaviour towards our Palestinian people, their legitimate rights and their just cause”.

Mr Trump is known to have a strong relationship with Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and a former CIA director and US defence secretary believes the incoming president would back the war against Hamas.

“With regards to the Middle East, I think he’s basically going to give Netanyahu a blank check,” Leon Panetta predicted, according to The Guardian.

“‘Whatever you do, whatever you want to do, whoever you want to go after, you have my blessing.’ I mean, he basically said that (before the election).”

During his first term in office, Mr Trump controversially ordered the US embassy in Israel be moved from Tel Aviv to the capital of Jerusalem – a city at the heart of Israeli-Palestinian tension.

In May, Mr Trump told a rally crowd in New Jersey he would not allow the country’s colleges to be “taken over by violent radicals” in reference to pro-Palestinian protests.

“If you come here from another country and try to bring jihadism or anti-Americanism or antisemitism to our campuses, we will immediately deport you,” he said.

Mr Netanyahu welcomed the re-election of Mr Trump in a statement this week as “history’s greatest comeback”.

“Your historic return to the White House offers a new beginning for America and a powerful recommitment to the great alliance between Israel and America,” he said in a statement.

– with AFP.