[US Election 2024]
As former President Donald Trump, the Republican candidate, was confirmed as the owner of the White House for the next four years, the Middle East region is experiencing mixed reactions. Benjamin Netanyahu, the Prime Minister of Israel, who had showcased a 'bromance' during Trump's first administration, immediately called to convey his congratulations. Hamas of Palestine, which is at war with Israel, and Hezbollah of Lebanon expressed their intention to continue fighting.
The Israeli Prime Minister's Office stated on the 6th (local time), "Prime Minister Netanyahu congratulated President-elect Trump's election victory," adding, "The two agreed to cooperate for Israel's security." It also added, "The two leaders also discussed the threat posed by Iran." The call lasted about 20 minutes.
The Prime Minister's Office explained that Netanyahu was one of the world leaders who first called President-elect Trump after the election results were confirmed that day. They also emphasized that the atmosphere of the call was "warm and amicable."
Earlier, Netanyahu had congratulated Trump on his election victory through a statement, describing it as "the greatest comeback in history." During Trump's first term in office, in 2018, he closely aligned with Israel by accepting Israel's claim that Jerusalem is its capital and moving the U.S. embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, showcasing a 'bromance' with then-Prime Minister Netanyahu.
In the same year, he unilaterally withdrew from the Iran nuclear deal (JCPOA - Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action), which was reached during the Barack Obama administration, after three years and imposed heavy economic sanctions on Iran. Accordingly, in Trump's second term, the cooperative relationship with Israel is expected to strengthen further, and a tough stance against Iran is anticipated. Even amid the Gaza Strip war that has lasted over a year and the war phase with Lebanon's Hezbollah, the next U.S. administration is expected to provide more full support to Israel.
Hamas declared its intention to continue fighting Israel regardless of the election outcome. In an English statement released that day, Hamas said, "The result that Trump has won the U.S. presidential election has come out," and "The new U.S. administration must realize that the Palestinian people will continue to resist the occupation by the hateful Zionist regime (Israel)."
They also stated, "We will not tolerate any path that obstructs the establishment of a Palestinian independent state with Jerusalem as its capital and the legitimate rights to freedom, independence, and self-determination," and argued, "The elected U.S. president must listen to the voices of Americans regarding the Zionist aggression in the Gaza Strip over the past year and reject occupation and genocide."
Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem also said in a video speech released the same day, "We do not expect the aggression to stop depending on the political situation," adding, "Whether Harris (Democratic candidate Kamala Harris) wins or Trump wins, it means nothing to us." Qassem said, "Tens of thousands of trained fighters are ready to fight," and added, "There is no place in Israel that Hezbollah cannot attack." This speech appears to have been recorded before former President Trump's election victory was confirmed.
Meanwhile, on the day former President Trump secured his return to the White House, dozens of people were killed in Lebanon due to Israeli military attacks. Major foreign media outlets, citing local authorities, reported that Baalbek near the Bekaa Valley in eastern Lebanon was bombed about 40 times in one day, resulting in 38 deaths and 54 injuries. Baalbek was called Heliopolis when it was conquered by Alexander the Great of the Macedonian Kingdom in ancient times.
In the Dahieh area, a Hezbollah stronghold in southern Beirut, Lebanon's capital, bombing followed Israeli military warnings for prior evacuation. Regarding this, the Israeli military confirmed in a statement, "The air force attacked Hezbollah command centers, weapons storage, and terrorist infrastructure located in civilian residential areas of Dahieh." Analysts suggest that the ongoing offensive is not unrelated to the results of the U.S. presidential election held the day before.
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