Three sons of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh were killed in an Israeli airstrike in Gaza Strip’s Al-Shati camp on Wednesday, according to statements from the Palestinian Islamist group and Haniyeh’s family.
The Israeli military confirmed the airstrike, identifying the three as operatives in Hamas’s armed wing. The deceased were named as Hazem, Amir, and Mohammad Haniyeh. Additionally, four of Haniyeh’s grandchildren—three girls and a boy—also perished in the attack.
When asked about the deaths of the four grandchildren, an Israeli military spokesperson said they had “no information on that right now.”
Haniyeh, who is based in Qatar, has emerged as a prominent figure in Hamas’ international diplomacy amid ongoing conflict with Israel. An earlier airstrike had destroyed his family home in Gaza in November.
Relatives indicated that the three sons and four grandchildren were visiting family on the first day of the Muslim Eid al-Fitr holiday in Shati, their home refugee camp in Gaza City.
On Tuesday, Hamas stated it was considering an Israeli ceasefire proposal amid the ongoing Gaza war, now in its seventh month, but criticized the proposal as “intransigent” and unresponsive to Palestinian demands. Hamas is calling for an end to Israeli military operations, a withdrawal from Gaza, and the right of return for displaced Palestinians.
