Hamas Views Washington's Next Actions With Caution A Conditional Stance Regarding the New American Administration

Hamas said in a recent statement following Donald Trump's triumph in the 2024 U.S. presidential contest that Washington's conduct toward the Palestinian struggle will determine how Hamas views the incoming American government. Emphasizing that the decades-long U.S. support for Israel has molded its negative perception of American policy, Hamas asks the next government to adopt a more balanced approach, especially in its stance on Palestinian rights and the more general Israeli-Palestinian issue.

Historical U.S. policy has frequently backed Israel for Hamas, hence it is doubtful that this view will alter without a major change in Washington's posture. Following Israel's founding in 1948, every U.S. government has been considered as ardent friend of Israel, supporting it militarily, diplomatically, and financially. With reference to former U.S. administrations' support of Israeli policies as proof of Washington's involvement in facilitating acts Hamas defines as antagonistic to Palestinian sovereignty and wellbeing, Hamas's statement emphasizes this belief. According to Hamas, the posture of the present U.S. government shows extreme prejudice that strengthens the occupation even more.

The statement of Hamas contains clear demands, not only criticism. The group asks that the incoming U.S. government stop what it defines as "genocidal and aggressive war" against Palestinians and abandon its "blind prejudice" toward Israel. This demand covers not only the Gaza Strip and the West Bank but also a plea to stop supporting activities affecting Lebanon, whose tensions with Israel have often become hot points for regional security.

In this message, Hamas asks the incoming government to respect Palestinian legal rights—including those pertaining to self-determination, freedom, and the founding of an independent state with East Jerusalem (referred to in the statement) as its capital. Hamas is adamant in its assertion that, should the government adopt past U.S. policies toward Israel, it will keep resisting. Though it is dubious and shows a lack of optimism in the possibility of a U.S. change toward Palestinian advocacy, the organization's conditions lay out a road map toward what it believes necessary for peace.

But Donald Trump's visit back to the White House begs issues regarding whether U.S. policy on Palestine will undergo any refining. Policies seen as pro-Israel defined Trump's first term: shifting the U.S. Embassy to Jerusalem and supporting Israel's annexation of West Bank territory. Based on their present remarks, which imply they expect similar policies to persist, Hamas says only significant changes in U.S. foreign policy will influence its stance.

The Palestinian leadership and international observers will be keenly monitoring how the U.S. balances its historic relationships with its claimed commitment to human rights and conflict resolution as Trump's government gets ready to take office. Given Trump's history of great backing for Israel, Hamas's demands appear a difficult order. However, the international community's increasing calls for responsibility could have an impact on even the most seasoned partners' strategy.