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Israel: UN Security Council Resolution Will Only Harden Hamas Stance in Hostage Talks

(Ynet News) Itamar Eichner - Israeli UN Ambassador Gilad Erdan told Ynet on Monday: "It is no coincidence that Hamas welcomed this" UN resolution calling for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza. "From the onset of the war, it was clear to everyone that Hamas had hoped that the international community would bend Israel's will and force us into a ceasefire before the end of the hostilities and the release of the hostages." "Until now, the U.S. has withstood this pressure, but this is not a minor change but a dramatic shift." While he noted the resolution's non-binding nature, he said "we are now facing petitions that Israel is violating the Security Council's decision, and courts might intervene. The pressure on the U.S. will increase, and the implications for us are severe." While Israel appreciates the American support since the beginning of the war, "When facing a terrorist organization, you expect such actions not to play into the hands of our enemies. Hamas now sees the pressure on Israel increasing, so what incentive do they have to agree? This will only harden their stance in negotiations for a deal. It endangers the efforts to free the hostages because it gives Hamas hope that it can achieve a ceasefire without releasing the hostages....The decision... essentially harms our war efforts and the chances of freeing the hostages."
2024-03-26 00:00:00
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