Tragedy Strikes Hamas Leader’s Family
In a somber turn of events, the Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh suffered a personal loss when an
The airstrike targeted a vehicle in Gaza’s Al-Shati camp, claiming the lives of Haniyeh’s sons – Hazem, Amir, and Mohammad. The attack also took the lives of three of his grandchildren, with another grandchild wounded, according to Hamas media. Despite the tragedy, Haniyeh, who currently resides in Qatar, maintained a resolute stance. “The blood of my sons is not dearer than the blood of our people,” he declared on Al Jazeera TV.
Relatives shared that the family was visiting for the Muslim Eid al-Fitr holiday in Shati, their home refugee camp in Gaza City, when the tragedy struck. The loss comes amidst ongoing conflict and ceasefire negotiations, with Hamas reviewing an Israeli proposal that they have criticized for failing to meet Palestinian demands.
Haniyeh’s eldest son took to Facebook to confirm the deaths, expressing gratitude for what he considered the honor of their martyrdom. Since his appointment as the head of Hamas in 2017, Haniyeh has been active in international diplomacy, often traveling between Turkey and Qatar to evade Israeli travel restrictions and engage in negotiations.
Israel continues to view the Hamas leadership with hostility, labeling them as terrorists responsible for orchestrating acts of terror. The extent of Haniyeh’s knowledge regarding a specific cross-border attack on Israel by Gaza militants remains uncertain. This attack was reportedly planned in secrecy by the Hamas military council in Gaza.
The ongoing conflict has seen extensive Israeli military operations within Gaza, with Hamas demanding an end to these actions, a withdrawal from the enclave, and the right for displaced Palestinians to return home.
