The head of the political bureau of Hamas says Israel’s assassination of his children will not make the Palestinian resistance group back down on its goals and demands in the latest round of talks aimed at reaching a truce in the Gaza war.
Ismail Haniyeh made the remarks in a phone interview with Qatar-based Al Jazeera TV network on Wednesday night, after an Israeli airstrike killed three of his sons — Hazem, Amir and Mohammad — and four grandchildren in the al-Shati refugee camp in the northern Gaza Strip.
“Our demands are clear and specific and we will not make concessions on them. The enemy will be delusional if it thinks that targeting my sons, at the climax of the negotiations and before the movement sends its response, will push Hamas to change its position,” he said.
The Israeli military and the regime’s so-called internal security service, Shin Bet, confirmed killing Haniyeh’s sons, who were visiting relatives on the occasion of Eid al-Fitr before their vehicle was struck.
The assassination came at a time when Hamas was preparing a response to Israel’s proposal for a Gaza ceasefire delivered through mediators during the negotiations in Cairo.
Also in his remarks, Haniyeh said killing his sons would only make Hamas “more steadfast in our principles and adherence to our land.”
The resistance group, he added, would “not surrender, and […] not compromise […] no matter how great our sacrifices are.”
The Hamas leader also noted that around 60 members of his family, including nieces and nephews, have been martyred during the Gaza onslaught.
“All our people and all the families of Gaza have paid a heavy price in blood, and I am one of them,” he said.
Haniyeh further decried Israel’s brutality in Gaza, saying the regime is conducting a war of ethnic cleansing and genocide on the besieged territory.
“There is no doubt that this criminal enemy is driven by the spirit of revenge and the spirit of murder and bloodshed, and it does not observe any standards or laws,” he stressed.
Erdogan extends condolences to Haniyeh
Türkiye’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has extended his condolences to Haniyeh over the deaths of several of his family members, the Turkish Communications Directorate said.
During the phone call on Wednesday, Erdogan said that Israel will be held accountable before the law for its crimes against humanity.
In addition, Turkish Vice President Cevdet Yilmaz condemned the attack and conveyed his condolences to Haniyeh.
”The Israeli administration will eventually be held accountable for these inhumane attacks under international law,” Yilmaz said on X.
Israel waged its bloody US-backed war on Gaza on October 7 after Hamas carried out its historic operation against the usurping entity in retaliation for the regime's intensified atrocities against the Palestinian people.
So far, the occupying regime has killed at least 33,482 Palestinians, mostly women and children, and injured 76,049 others.
Ansarullah’s reaction
Meanwhile, the Yemeni Ansarullah resistance group extended its condolences to Haniyeh.
“These great sacrifices … indeed strengthen the steadfastness of Palestinian people in the face of Israeli arrogance,” Ansarullah spokesman Mohammed Abdul-Salam stated.
On the threatened invasion of the city of Rafah in southern Gaza, Haniyeh said, “We will not submit to the occupying regime’s intimidation, as those who surrender will not be spared.”
Shati is the third-largest refugee camp among the eight in the Gaza Strip, and also one of its most crowded, with thousands of people living in an area of less than half a square kilometer.
Ismail Haniyeh, who now lives in Qatar, is originally from Shati camp.
Comments
Dear Shobha Karandlaje. This victim is a Beary. So kindly don’t include his name in your prolonged list of slain Hindu karyakarthas.
No anna the killers of RAO are BJP workers (minority sect) but BJP moved...this killer is a paid hitman,
Lesson for All Rowdy if we play with other life one day our life will end .. like tiz..
THAQDHEER BANA NE WALA KAM NAHEEN ! JIS KO KYA MILA WO MUQADDAR KI BAAT HAI
Cops wanted him dead.
That’s why he got bail.
Anyway this is a cleanup drive.
So many cases against him, really a big threat to the mangalore. Good Decision by police department :P
Inna Lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji'un,
Notorious rowdy died a dog’s death!
This may be the preplanned murder, big question is how he can get bail so soon.
No He was gang leader of Target Group.
Inna Lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji'un, how can he get bail so soon, need to question our Constituency?
out of contest! in mangalore no ending of murder?
Inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji'un, May allah grant him Jannah
Inna Lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji'un, dear brothers this s eye opener incident to all, pls leave peacefully.
is this same guy who killed Deepak Rao?
Youth dont understand the situation in mangalore. for every start thr will be a bad ending.
he recieved what he wanted.
Really sad but he was really a threat to the society.
Inna Lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji'un
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