- minanews.net
Israel – An Israeli airstrike in the Gaza Strip killed three sons of Ismail Haniyeh, the political leader of Hamas, both Haniyeh and the Israeli military said on Wednesday.
Hamas-affiliated media reported that three of his grandchildren were also killed.
The Israeli military identified the three sons as Amir, Mohammad and Hazem Haniyeh, and said that all three were active in Hamas’s military operations. In a brief statement, the military said the strike took place in central Gaza, but it was not more specific and did not address reports that Ismail Haniyeh’s grandchildren were also killed.
A senior Hamas official said on Wednesday that Hamas did not have 40 living hostages in Gaza who met the criteria for an exchange under a proposed cease-fire agreement with Israel being negotiated.
A senior Israeli official said Israel had been relayed Hamas’s claim, and the senior Hamas official said that the group had informed mediators facilitating the negotiations.
Pengungsi warga Gaza akibat serangan Israel (aljazeera.com)
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The Israeli official and the Hamas official requested anonymity because of the sensitivity of the negotiations.
Haniyeh further emphasized that the attack on his family is proof of Israel's failure, and he will not change Hamas' position in the ceasefire negotiations.
He emphasized that Hamas would not withdraw its demands in the negotiations including the demand for a permanent ceasefire, the return of displaced Palestinians to their homes, and the release of Palestinian prisoners.
Ismail Haniyeh is the appointed political leader of Hamas since 2017. He has moved between Turkey and Doha to avoid Israeli travel restrictions and allow him to act as a negotiator for the ceasefire talks.
