The U.S. secretary of state noted that as a result, Hamas concluded, “let's not do a ceasefire because we can be rewarded. We can claim it as a victory."
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio revealed on Friday that talks to secure a hostages-for-ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas broke down when President Emmanuel Macron announced France would recognize a Palestinian state.
“Talks with Hamas fell apart on the day Macron made the unilateral decision that he’s going to recognize the Palestinian state. And then you have other people come forward, other countries say, ‘Well, if there’s not a ceasefire by September, we’re [also] going to recognize a Palestinian state,’” Rubio said.
He noted that as a consequence, Hamas concluded, “let’s not do a ceasefire because we can be rewarded. We can claim it as a victory.