An Israeli airstrike in the Gaza Strip resulted in the deaths of three sons of Hamas' top political leader, Ismail Haniyeh. The incident occurred near the Shati refugee camp in Gaza City, where the three siblings were traveling with family members in a vehicle targeted by an Israeli drone. The strike also claimed the lives of other family members, including a daughter of one of the brothers.
Haniyeh, who confirmed the deaths in an interview with Al Jazeera, accused Israel of acting out of 'the spirit of revenge and murder.' He emphasized that Hamas would not yield to pressure and soften its positions in response to the killings.
The Israeli military described the three siblings as a cell commander and two military operatives. Israeli war cabinet minister Benny Gantz claimed that Hamas has been militarily defeated, although he acknowledged that the fight against the group would continue for years.
The strike came amidst a muted Eid al-Fitr holiday in Gaza, where Palestinians visited the graves of loved ones lost in the conflict. The escalating tensions have strained the relationship between the U.S. and Israel, with President Joe Biden criticizing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's handling of the situation and calling for increased aid to Gaza.
As the conflict persists, Israel faces growing international isolation and pressure to reach a cease-fire. Aid groups have raised concerns about the delivery of humanitarian aid to Gaza, citing logistical challenges and Israeli restrictions that hinder the distribution of supplies to those in need.
Netanyahu has vowed to achieve 'total victory' over Hamas, pledging to dismantle the group's military capabilities and prevent future attacks. However, the ongoing conflict has raised questions about Israel's postwar strategy and the potential for further escalation in the region.
