Donald Trump’s victory in the 2024 U.S. presidential election has significant implications for the ongoing conflict in Gaza and Israel’s military operations there.

The Israeli president, Benjamin Netanyahu was among the first to congratulate the new president of the United States, Donald Trump, in a message signed by him and his wife, Sara, dedicated to Donald and Melania.

Trump has vowed to bring “peace” to the Middle East and end the conflicts involving Israel, Hamas, and Hezbollah, making this anti-war plea a crucial part of the last month’s campaigning. However, the specifics of his plan remain unclear, though his previous unwavering support for Israel would suggest some sort of peae plan in their favour.

Earlier in the conflict, he encouraged Israel to “finish the job”, criticizing the Biden administration by claiming they are holding Israel back from achieving its war aims. These war aims continue to fluctuate, with the public announcements far different to the reality.

How Trump’s victory will affect Israel

The United States’ rapport with Israel is historic. Trump is more than just an ally for Israel. As the Israeli prime minister said, “his historic return to the White House offers a new beginning for the United States and a powerful renewed commitment to the great alliance between Israel and the United States.”

Congratulations were extended by the most right-wing ministers in the Knesset, the unicameral body that holds the legislative power of the State of Israel.

During his presidency, Trump moved the US embassy to Jerusalem, recognised the holy city as Israel’s capital and also officially recognised the Golan Heights under Israeli sovereignty. Very few other nations have done so, and none of America’s strongest allies. Jerusalem is claimed by both Israel and Palestine, with the Palestinian Authority lawfully in control of the eastern half of the city.

A crucial part of Trump’s presidency was Israel’s normalisation of relations with Arab nations. In 2020, the Abraham Accords were signed, which normalised relations between the Hebrew state and several Arab countries, such as the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Morocco and Sudan. However, the invasion of Gaza has made these normalisations mroe difficult as Arab anger against Israel has grown.

Everything seems to indicate that cooperation and cordiality will be the tone; support will continue for all of Israel’s decisions, especially in its relationship with Iran, and its desire to eliminate Hamas and Hezbollah. The military deployment will continue, if not intensified, in the coming weeks in the region.