By the time Hulagu was preparing to move towards Hama, a delegate of its elite and notable men came to him and delivered to him the keys of the city without fighting, out of their own accord, and not at request from Hulagu. Hulagu then accepted the keys and granted them security.

But at this time, it was indeed a real security, in order to encourage others to do the same.

Hulagu then moved along with his large army southward, and came upon Hama and did not enter it, and then upon Hims, the city of his friend Al-Ashraf, and did not enter it too. Then, he moved direct to Damascus, about 120 kilometers far from Hims.

Let us then leave Hulagu a bit, and go to follow the situation in Damascus.

http://300035.dotdothktrade.tech/en/artical/20817/surrender-hama