Hamas confirmed that it would not engage in any dialogue with Israel, as it believes past negotiations were failed experiments. Hamas lawmakers Mahmoud Zahar and Saeed Syiam said that Hamas’ victory has strengthened their hard-line stance. However, politiburo chief Khaled Mashaal said it would be wiling to meet with the international community including the United States. “During these talks we will protect our nation’s rights because the popular trust bestowed on us gives us this responsibility,” Mashaal said, but reiterated that “Hamas would not have any contact with the ‘Zionist enemy.’”