Hamas’ Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades have issued a bold declaration that their fighters entrenched in Rafah will refuse to surrender to Israeli forces, sparking another flareup in an already tenuous ceasefire agreement.
According to a Reuters report from November 9th 2025, Hamas fighters who remain in Israeli-held Rafah area are refusing any agreement that requires them to lay down arms or leave.
Previous mediation efforts led by Egyptian officials had proposed that roughly 200 fighters surrender their arms in exchange for safe passage to other parts of Gaza and handing over tunnel locations. Reuters
Hamas insisted in its statement: “[The enemy must understand] that surrender and handing oneself over do not exist in our dictionary of Al-Qassam Brigades.” Arab News PK
Why it Matters
Threat to Ceasefire Stability: This refusal comes during an increasingly tenuous truce between Israel and Hamas that began on 10 October; Rafah area has seen some of the most violent episodes since truce was implemented, according to Reuters reports.
Tunnel Warfare and Defiance: Rafah is one of the many areas where Hamas is known to maintain tunnel networks, including hardened presence. According to one proposed deal, these tunnel locations would be handed over to Egyptian authorities for destruction.
Israeli Pressure: Israel is demanding full disarmament of Hamas and control over Rafah as part of its overall war objectives, and any refusal could trigger military operations there again.
Humanitarian and civilian implications: This standoff threatens to pull civilians back into conflict zones, particularly those just recovering from heavy bombardment and displacement.
Hamas claims it has put the onus on mediators to intervene and stop Israel from exploiting the situation to breach the cease-fire agreement. According to them, fighters are acting defensively against Israel’s incursion and it should take responsibility for engaging them directly.
Arab News PK has reported this move by Hamas as evidence that they do not intend to negotiate from a position of weakness and maintain their presence in Rafah regardless of external pressures.
What to watch next if mediation fails and Hamas remains defiant
How the mediators (notably Egypt ) react will also be crucial, with their choices likely ranging from further attempts at reaching an accord to giving up and accepting the impasse.
At stake for civilians caught between Hamas positions and potential Israeli operations is their fate – whether they remain, move or suffer collateral impact.
General Context: The outcome in Rafah could serve as an early test of disarmament efforts across Gaza and any long-term cease-fire or stabilisation plans that might emerge as viable.
Conclusion
Rafah stands as an essential point of tension. Hamas fighters have made clear their intention not to surrender and Israel demands full disarmament while Hamas maintains control. Should mediation fail and military pressure increase, Rafah could become another flashpoint with profound implications for Gaza war, humanitarian conditions and any potential peace agreements.