Ismail Haniyeh, the head of Hamas, lost at least three sons and four grandkids in an Israeli airstrike on a Gaza refugee camp. Without providing further details, the Israeli military said that the men engaged in violent operations in central Gaza.
Haniyeh had announced the deaths of his sons Hazem, Amir, and Mohammad in an interview with Qatari broadcaster Al Jazeera.
He added that the deaths of three of his 13 children would not affect Hamas’ cease-fire demands, as sensitive negotiations continue.
“The enemy believes that by targeting the families of the leaders, it will push them to give up the demands of our people,” Haniyeh told Al Jazeera.
He went on to say that believing such strikes would force Hamas to “change its position” was “delusional.”
Three of Haniyeh’s grandchildren were also reported to have been killed in the strike.
Just northwest of Gaza City, the Shati refugee camp was the target of the strike, according to media connected with Hamas. The brothers were traveling with family members in a single vehicle, Hamas’ Al-Aqsa TV said.
Haniyeh, referring to Israel as a “criminal enemy driven by the spirit of revenge,” also claimed that at least 60 members of his family have been killed since the start of the war, which started after Hamas launched a terror attack on Israel, killing over 1,200 people.
Millionaire Haniyeh, who currently resides in Qatar, has consistently declared his opposition to acknowledging the state of Israel.
The United States classified him as an international terrorist in 2018. The governments of the United States, Germany, Israel, and several other countries have classified Hamas as a terrorist group.
The 57-year-old sister of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh was taken into custody by Israel Police one week ago during a joint Shin Bet-Israeli operation known as “Early Dawn.” Sabah Avad al-Salam Haniyeh, a Tel Sheva resident, is named as the suspect.
