According to Kan's political reporter Suleiman Maswadeh, three Israeli officials privy to the Israel-Hamas negotiations in Doha confirmed that the terrorist organization turned down a deal for a hostage exchange before yesterday's vote at the United Nations went into effect. Netanyahu's office had previously claimed that Hamas refused a proposal as a result of the Security Council's demands for an immediate cease-fire in Gaza.
Last night, an Israeli political official issued a statement that Hamas welcomed the UN's decision: "Hamas welcomed the decision at the Security Council. That pretty much sums it up," it read.
The Prime Minister's Office also responded to the move: "Hamas's position clearly proves that it is not interested in continuing negotiations for a deal, and is an unfortunate testimony to the damage of the Security Council's decision," it noted.
Netanyahu added that, "Hamas once again rejected any American compromise proposal and repeated its extreme demands: An immediate end to the war, a complete withdrawal of the IDF from Gaza, and remaining in power so that it can repeat the October 7 massacre again and again, as it has promised to.
"...Israel will not submit to the delusional demands of Hamas, and will continue to act to achieve all the goals of the war: The release of all hostages, destruction of the military and governmental capabilities of Hamas, and ensuring that Gaza no longer poses a threat to Israel."
