Claims Hamas called for end to war after Trump’s election are misleading

Some of Donald Trump’s supporters are claiming his re-election as president is already affecting global politics.

The war between Israel and Hamas has been ongoing for more than a year, but in several posts online, Trump supporters say his victory is helping to bring it to an end.

The posts commonly cite a Newsweek headline saying “Hamas calls for immediate end to war after Trump election win,” and credit Trump with bringing about peace.

Multiple VERIFY readers messaged us on social media, asking if such posts are truthful.

Did Hamas call for an end to the war with Israel following Trump’s victory in the 2024 election?

• Full text of statement by Hamas spokesperson

• News reports of previous Hamas statements

Following Trump’s victory, Hamas issued a statement calling for an end to the war. But that’s nothing new; Hamas has been calling for an end to the war for months.

After Trump was elected president, Hamas issued a generic statement to Newsweek calling for an end to violence against Palestinians, but the militant group did not offer surrender. Hamas also called for an end to the war multiple times before the presidential election.

The day after Election Day, Newsweek published an article with the headline, “Hamas Calls for ‘Immediate’ End to War After Trump Election Win.”

Trump supporters, including his son Donald Trump Jr., shared a screenshot of the headline. 

The statement provided to the news magazine reads, in part, “The election of Trump as the 47th president of the USA is a private matter for the Americans, but Palestinians look forward to an immediate cessation of the aggression against our people.”

The statement is not a new development; Hamas has repeatedly called for an end to the war in Gaza since shortly after it began.

VERIFY found reports of Hamas urging a ceasefire or demanding an end to Israeli military action in November 2023, December 2023, January 2024, May 2024 and June 2024.

None of the statements, including the latest one following the election, are tantamount to offering surrender. All of them either call for either an immediate, unconditional end to Israeli military action or a negotiated peace.

Israel has given no indication it intends to cease fighting in Gaza, and in recent days, some key Israeli leaders have even called for Israel to push its activities into the West Bank.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu responded to Trump’s election with a post reading, “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. This is a huge victory!”

Current ceasefire talks remain at an impasse as both sides continue to fight.