The Palestinian Islamist group has confirmed that the three sons and 'several' grandchildren of Hamas' top leader, Ismail Haniyeh, have been killed in an Israeli airstrike on Wednesday in the Gaza Strip, and the leader accused Israel of acting in "the spirit of revenge and murder."
The Israeli military confirmed carrying out the attack, identifying the three sons as members of the Hamas armed wing.
Haniyeh Confirms 3 Sons, Relatives' Death
In a statement from Qatar, Haniyeh said that he was grateful to God for the honor he has given him in the deaths of three of his children and a few of his grandchildren. He continued that his sons were awarded this honor as they remained with the Palestinian people in Gaza.
The terrorist leader attacked Israel, saying the spirit of revenge drove them and that since the battle began, about 60 members of his family had died. He claimed that his family was targeted while they were in a car near Gaza City's Shati refugee camp.
He said that through the blood of the martyrs and the pain of the injured, they create hope, the future, and independence and freedom for their people and their nation.
According to Hamas' Al-Aqsa TV, an Israeli drone struck a single vehicle carrying the three brothers, Hazem, Ameer, and Mohammed, along with other family members.
It was discovered that a total of six people were killed, including a daughter of Hazem Haniyeh and a son and daughter of Ameer.
However, Haniyeh claimed that Hamas' demands in peace talks with Israel would remain unchanged in light of the deaths and that the enemy believed that targeting his family would push them to give up the demands of their people.
Furthermore, he added that anyone who believes that targeting his sons will push Hamas to change its position is delusional.
The IDF did not immediately provide any comments.
Haniyeh Pushes Ceasefire, IDF Withdrawal
Haniyeh, who leads the Palestinian Islamist movement at war with Israel, declared last Wednesday that his group is adhering to its demands for a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, which include an Israeli military withdrawal.
A Palestinian official close to the mediation process claimed there had been no signs of a breakthrough during the Israeli officials' trip to Egypt at the start of last week to try to secure a deal.
Haniyeh said in a televised speech marking Al-Quds (Jerusalem) Day that they are committed to their demands, such as the permanent ceasefire, comprehensive and complete withdrawal of the enemy from the Gaza Strip, the return of all displaced people to their homes, allowing all aid needed for their people in Gaza, rebuilding the Strip, lifting the blockade and achieving an honorable prisoner exchange deal.
The "exchange deal" that the supreme commander indicated would see Israeli hostages held by militants in Gaza since the deadly October 7 attack at the Supernova music festival in Israel, led by Hamas, released in exchange for Palestinian prisoners from Israeli jails.
Israel opposed by saying that it was only interested in a temporary ceasefire to release hostages, but Hamas insisted that it would only release them in exchange for an agreement to put an end to the war permanently.
