Blinken Blasts Haaretz Report as “Complete Fiction,” Denies Hamas Offered Early Release of Civilian Hostages
Former U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken has categorically denied a Haaretz report claiming that Hamas offered in the immediate aftermath of the October 7 massacre to release all civilian hostages without receiving anything in return, but that Israel refused to discuss the proposal.
Blinken issued the denial in response to American journalist Ryan Grim, who cited the Haaretz report by journalist Shlomi Eldar. Blinken responded briefly and unequivocally: “For the record, this is false. Complete fiction.”
According to the Haaretz report, Hamas conveyed a message through Qatar as early as October 7 indicating that it was prepared to return all civilian hostages without demanding anything in exchange. The terror group’s only request, according to the report, was that a mediator arrange the transfer and establish a channel for subsequent negotiations over the release of captured soldiers.
The report further alleged that Israel refused to discuss the proposal or even hear its details, prompting Qatar to approach Blinken and inform him of Hamas’ purported willingness to release the civilian hostages.
According to the account now flatly denied by Blinken, when Qatari officials sought to advance the proposal, the then-secretary of state told them that he planned to travel to Israel within three days and would personally discuss the matter with Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu.
When the Qataris reportedly pressed for immediate action, Blinken was quoted as responding: “Right now, the situation is complicated. Israel is still under attack, and there is no one to talk to. We’ll wait three days.”
Citing the Haaretz account, Grim leveled a sharp accusation against Blinken, arguing that the secretary of state had been presented with an opportunity to secure the release of all civilian hostages and help de-escalate the situation, but instead chose war.
Blinken has now rejected not merely a specific detail of that account, but the story in its entirety.
“For the record, this is false. Complete fiction,” Blinken wrote in his direct response to the report.
{Matzav.com}
