[whatshisface]

>why is hamas refusing to surrender even though all of it's higher leadership is dead?

How's an organization supposed to surrender when all of its leaders have been assassinated? Who's going to walk up to an IDF emplacement while claiming to lead Hamas? How would such a death-defying individual prove that they had any actual significance to Hamas?

[sudopluto]

the recent talks in qatar suggested that even though disorganized, enough of a hierarchy still exists within hamas to negotiate. the main complaints from the american side was that hamas seemed to be inconsistent / fractured in their demands, outside of forcing the israelis to return to pre-war status-quo via a ceasefire that protects hamas rule

[whatshisface]

I wonder why they're fractured in their demands... maybe it's that all the high level leaders are dead.

[asdefghyk]

Someone is in charge. The person who could release the hostages?

[Shaanie]

It's entirely possible there's no longer any single person in charge in practice, but rather a bunch of more or less individually operating cells - each with their own leader.