The recent Hamas-Israel ceasefire continues on, but from a purely military perspective, Israel dominates the Gaza landscape. One might have even imagined the ceasefire was the first step in a Hamas surrender.

Surrender is one of the most essential rules in international humanitarian law. It is the way we limit destruction in the culture of war. In international law, an individual combatant may surrender. Under that circumstance, they are considered out of the fight — and in that circumstance, it is unlawful to attack or harm them.

Surrender is the bright line separating war from peace. Surrender stops the fight, and opposing sides are protected from further harm once it is in place. When a surrender is offered, the opposing side is legally obligated to honor the surrender, and the surrendered person or force cannot be attacked. Feigning........

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