Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was among the first world leaders to call President-elect Donald Trump on Wednesday, according to a statement from the Israeli Prime Minister’s Office.
“The conversation was warm and cordial. The Prime Minister congratulated Trump on his victory, and the two agreed to work together for Israel’s security,” the statement said.
“The two also discussed the Iranian threat,” it added.
The statement came hours after Hamas, the Palestinian militant group that controls the Gaza Strip, called on Trump’s incoming administration to “work seriously to stop the war” in the Gaza Strip.
Last week, a report emerged claiming Trump asked Netanyahu to wrap up the conflict by the time he gets inaugurated on Jan. 20 if he had won the election. Trump ultimately prevailed over Vice President Kamala Harris.
Hamas said, “In light of the initial results showing Donald Trump winning in the U.S. presidential elections,” they believe he is “required to listen to the voices that have been raised by the U.S. public for more than a year regarding the [Israeli] aggression on the Gaza Strip.”
The incoming must “work seriously to stop the war of genocide and aggression against our Palestinian people in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, stop the aggression against the brotherly Lebanese people, stop providing military support and political cover to the Zionist entity, and to recognize the legitimate rights of our people,” Hamas added.
Qatari Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani – whose country has played a key role in cease-fire talks for Gaza – “Congratulations to President-Elect Donald Trump on winning the U.S. presidential election” and “I wish you all the best during your term and look forward to working together again to strengthen our strategic relationship and partnership, and to advancing our shared efforts in promoting security and stability both in the region and globally.”
Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas also said Wednesday that “We will remain steadfast in our commitment to peace, and we are confident that the United States will support, under [Trump’s] leadership, the legitimate aspirations of the Palestinian people,” according to
A source from the Times of Israel said Trump initially gave the message to Netanyahu about ending the war when the Israeli leader visited him at Mar-a-Lago in Palm Beach, Florida, this past July.
’ Andrea Margolis contributed to this report.