Explainer: Ceasefire negotiations continue as Hamas refuses to surrender

Global leaders support ceasefire negotiations for the war in Gaza. (Credit: Arab News)

As new ceasefire negotiations move forward, Hamas says its fighters in the southern Gaza city of Rafah will not lay down their weapons, signalling the group’s intent to maintain bargaining power, even as humanitarian conditions worsen and international pressure for a truce grows.

“The enemy must know that the concept of surrender and handing oneself over does not exist in the dictionary of the Al-Qassam Brigades,” a Hamas statement said, urging mediators to find a solution that preserves the ceasefire.

Hamas’ goals in the talks are layered. The group wants to secure political legitimacy and remain a central force in Palestinian governance after the conflict.

Its messaging frames continued resistance as proof that it has not been defeated, portraying endurance under bombardment as a form of victory. That stance aligns with Hamas’ ideology, which presents itself as a liberation movement fighting what it sees as an occupation.

Surrendering would contradict its founding identity.

At the same time, Gaza civilians are facing dire conditions. Displacement has forced families to move repeatedly, hospitals are struggling with limited supplies and basic needs such as clean water and electricity remain scarce.

“We place the mediators before their responsibilities, and they must find a solution to ensure the continuation of the ceasefire and prevent the enemy from using flimsy pretexts to violate it and exploit the situation to target innocent civilians in Gaza,” stated Hamas.

For Israelis, the conflict continues to mean ongoing security risks.

Rocket alerts and fears of renewed cross-border attacks shape daily life near the Gaza perimeter. Israeli leaders have said any ceasefire must include guarantees that Hamas’ military capabilities are significantly reduced.

Steve Witkoff, U.S. special envoy, said the proposed deal for about 200 fighters in Rafah “would be a test for a broader process to disarm Hamas forces across Gaza.” Without such guarantees, officials warn, a temporary pause could allow the group to regroup and rearm.

Countries including Egypt and Qatar are mediating, while the United States and other Western governments push for a framework that addresses both security concerns and humanitarian needs.

At the diplomatic level, the challenge is to balance immediate relief with longer-term political outcomes. Analysts say a deal that leaves Hamas intact but Gaza devastated could deepen instability, while sidelining Gaza’s political representation risks collapse shortly after implementation.

Canada continues to focus on protecting civilians and pursuing a negotiated two-state solution. Officials say peace will require mutual recognition and adherence to international law, though the details remain uncertain amid shifting political leadership in the region.

The central question of the ceasefire talks is whether the parties are negotiating a pause in fighting or a pathway to a new political balance.

If Hamas preserves its leadership structure and some military capacity, it may claim survival as a strategic success.

If Israel secures strict restrictions on Hamas operations, it may present the ceasefire as a step toward long-term security.

The central question of the ceasefire talks is whether the parties are negotiating a pause in fighting or a pathway to a new political balance. 

For now, both sides are holding firm, and the stakes extend far beyond Gaza. 

How these negotiations unfold will influence Palestinian political unity, Israeli domestic politics, regional alliances, and the credibility of international diplomacy in one of the most enduring conflicts of the modern era.