An Israeli airstrike killed three sons of Ismail Haniyeh, the political leader of Hamas, in the Gaza Strip Wednesday, The Times of Israel reported.
Hazem, Amir and Mohammad Haniyeh were in a car alongside their three children when an Israeli airstrike killed all but one of Haniyeh’s grandchildren, Hamas said, the outlet reported.
Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh says 3 of his sons killed in Israeli strike in Gaza City https://t.co/il5CRUM3m7
— The Times of Israel (@TimesofIsrael) April 10, 2024
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) and the Shin Bet — Israel’s version of the FBI — confirmed that they had targeted and eliminated Haniyeh’s sons, the outlet noted. IDF claimed that the three sons were “en route to carry out terror activity in the area of central Gaza” when they were killed, the outlet reported. A military source told the outlet that the IDF was aware of claims about Haniyeh’s grandchildren being killed or wounded in the airstrike.
“[T]hank[s] God for bestowing upon us the honor of their martyrdom,” the elder Haniyeh told Al Jazeera, The Times of Israel reported. “Their pure blood is for the liberation of Jerusalem and Al-Aqsa, and we will continue to march on our road, and will not hesitate and will not falter. With their blood, we bring about hope, a future and freedom for our people and our cause,” Haniyeh added. (RELATED: Biden Keeps Demanding ‘Ceasefire’ In Gaza War — But Hamas Won’t Accept Deal)
Ismail Haniyeh’s oldest son, Abdel-Salam, similarly wrote, “Thanks to God who honored us by the martyrdom of my brothers, Hazem, Amir and Mohammad and their children,” The Times of Israel noted.
Hamas released a video purporting to show the moment that Haniyeh was informed about the death of his children. “A father should aspire for his children to live in peace, not die for jihad,” tweeted Aviva Klompas, who posted the video.
Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh learns that three of his sons were killed and responds: “I thank Allah for the honor that my children and grandchildren have been martyred.”
And therein lies the problem. A father should aspire for his children to live in peace, not die for jihad. pic.twitter.com/vUivLJH8hN
— Aviva Klompas (@AvivaKlompas) April 10, 2024
The Hamas leader told Al Jazeera that his children were visiting relatives for Eid al-Fitr, the Islamic festival marking the end of Ramadan, when they were killed. Ismail Haniyeh currently resides in Qatar, The Times of Israel noted.