Three Sons, Grandchildren Of Hamas Leader Ismail Haniyeh Killed In Israeli Bombing In Gaza

Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh said three of his sons and his grandsons were killed during an Israeli bombing in Gaza City’s Shati Camp. He told news agency Al Jazeera that he was grateful that his sons were ‘awarded this honour’.

“I am grateful to God for the honour he has given me in the deaths of three of my children and a few of my grandchildren,” Haniyeh said, from Qatar. “My sons were awarded this honour. They remained with our Palestinian people in Gaza, did not leave and did not run. (Israel) took advantage of the holiday and slaughtered them,” he added.

A separate report by Haaretz said that the three sons who died were Hazem Haniyeh, Amir Haniyeh and Mohammad Haniyeh. His grandchildren Amal Haniyeh, daughter of Hazem Haniyeh, and Khalid and Razan Haniyeh (children of Amir Haniyeh) were also killed in the attack.

Meanwhile an Israeli official speaking to the newspaper said they fear the hostage deal will be impacted due to the death of Haniyeh’s children.

Haniyeh said that the death of his children will not affect Hamas’s ceasefire demands, according to a separate report by Reuters.

The Israeli news agency Haaretz also released a video which showed Hamas chief listening in on a phone call as an official standing next to him held the phone close to him. It appears from the video that Ismail Haniyeh was being apprised of the deaths of his sons and grandchildren.

Israel police earlier this month said they arrested one of Ismail Haniyeh’s sisters as part of a terror probe in southern Israel. Sabah Abdel Salam Haniyeh, who is an Israeli citizen, was taken into custody in the town of Tel Sheva. The probe also involves Israeli security agency Shin Bet.

A spokesperson from the Israeli police confirmed that it was Haniyeh’s sister, said she is “suspected of having contact with Hamas operatives and identifying with the organisation, while inciting and supporting acts of terrorism in Israel”.

“(We found) documents, media, telephones, other findings and evidence linking her to the commission of serious security offences against the State of Israel,” the spokesperson said.