A senior Hamas official has slammed America's decision to exercise its veto power against a United Nations Security Council draft resolution calling for an immediate ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, arguing the decision ran contrary to the ideals that Washington purports to promote on the world stage.

Hamas responded to U.S.-backed ceasefire proposals on Saturday, saying it had agreed to release 28 living and dead hostages but restating its demand for an end to the war and a withdrawal of Israeli troops from Gaza.

Witkoff rejected the notion that Hamas had accepted the offer for a hostage deal and a ceasefire in Gaza, as did an Israeli official.