How the Palestinian Resistance Is Managing the Negotiation Battle

As reports indicate a new round of negotiations in Gaza may be imminent, the Israeli occupation is ramping up both military pressure and disinformation campaigns, aiming to place the Palestinian resistance in a defensive, weakened negotiating position.

The Previous Agreement

The Netanyahu government stalled for over a year before finally agreeing to a ceasefire in January 2025—15 months into the war—after repeated failures to recover its captives by force or secure a political or military victory. The military was exhausted, morale was low, and public pressure was mounting. What ultimately triggered the agreement, however, was Donald Trump’s return to the White House and his desire to claim a political “win” before taking office.

The deal, therefore, served U.S. optics more than humanitarian goals. Israel focused only on the first phase—retrieving its captives—while ignoring the humanitarian protocol it had agreed to: delaying aid delivery, blocking evacuations, and halting reconstruction efforts. It then resumed its campaign of targeted killings, bombings, and displacement.

Israel’s Strategy

By signing the ceasefire, Netanyahu placated Trump, unlocked U.S. weapons aid, secured high-level White House meetings, and relieved internal pressure by bringing home some captives. With little criticism from international mediators, Arab regimes, or global powers, Israel faced virtually no external constraint.

This allowed Netanyahu to shift strategy entirely:

1. 1. Avoid negotiations for the second phase while tightening the siege to inflame public resentment against the resistance.

1. 1. Dismantle governance capacity in Gaza by assassinating political, administrative, and security leaders—including Essam al-Daalis, Mahmoud Abu Wafa, and Ahmad Al-Hatta—to cripple the resistance’s ability to serve civilians.

1. 1. Flood the media with disinformation, claiming Hamas was stalling or rejecting offers—when no serious, verifiable proposal was presented.

What Does the Resistance Want?

The resistance—especially Hamas—faces a coordinated smear campaign by Israel, the Palestinian Authority, and regional media. They are accused of prioritising factional interests over civilian lives. Yet their top leaders have fallen as martyrs alongside their families. Hamas has supported a neutral community-led committee to govern Gaza, undermining accusations of clinging to power.

They are also accused of rigidity in negotiations—though in reality, they have shown flexibility, accepting multiple proposals only to see Israel retract or violate them.

Most recently, Israel, PA figures, and Arab media outlets have begun pushing a dangerous narrative: that Hamas should release all captives, surrender its weapons, and evacuate its leadership from Gaza in return for halting the carnage. This proposal blatantly ignores one undeniable truth: post-October 7, Israel is waging an existential war to crush Gaza entirely.

Even now, the only reason Israel hasn’t escalated to full-scale extermination and forced expulsion is the resistance’s continued military presence and its ability to impose a cost.

To surrender its remaining leverage would be to greenlight a final massacre—something Gaza’s population understands deeply. The people are not demanding a symbolic ceasefire followed by resumed bombings. They want a true end to hostilities, a full Israeli withdrawal, unfettered humanitarian access, and a credible path to rebuilding their lives.

Principled Flexibility, Not Capitulation

Yes, the resistance is expected to show flexibility. But flexibility does not mean surrender. It means calculated, principled negotiation rooted in the protection of national and humanitarian priorities. The only way to truly protect civilians is to ensure a just and enforceable agreement—not to bow to pressure and hope for mercy from an occupier that has never honoured its word.

Conclusion

In this light, the resistance’s firm negotiating stance is not stubbornness—it is the only rational path to stop the bloodshed, prevent mass displacement, and begin reconstruction. Rather than weakening the resistance, pressure must focus where it belongs: on the Israeli regime that has repeatedly violated ceasefires and thrives on destruction.

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