In Tel Aviv, Israel, three sons of Hamas’ top political leader were killed in an Israeli airstrike in the Gaza Strip. Ismail Haniyeh, the leader, accused Israel of acting out of revenge and murder. It was unclear how the deaths would impact cease-fire talks being brokered by international mediators, although Haniyeh stated that Hamas would not give in to pressure from Israel. The Israeli military claimed that the men had been involved in militant activities in central Gaza. Haniyeh confirmed the deaths of his sons in an interview with Al Jazeera, stating that they were killed on the road to liberating Jerusalem and the Al-Aqsa Mosque.
Despite the deaths of his sons, Haniyeh maintained that Hamas would not soften its positions. He criticized Israel for targeting the families of leaders in an attempt to change the group’s demands. Haniyeh resides in Qatar and received news of his sons’ deaths while visiting wounded Palestinians. The Israeli military described the three siblings as a cell commander and two military operatives. The siblings were traveling with family members when they were targeted by an Israeli drone. The strike resulted in a total of six fatalities, including children and other family members.
In a statement, Israeli war cabinet minister Benny Gantz claimed that Hamas had been defeated militarily, but acknowledged that fighting the group would continue for years. Gantz reiterated Israel’s commitment to targeting terrorist strongholds, such as Rafah in the southern tip of the Gaza Strip. Meanwhile, Palestinian families marked the Eid al-Fitr holiday by visiting graves of loved ones killed in the conflict. Despite initial U.S. support for Israel’s offensive, President Joe Biden has criticized Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s handling of the war, especially in relation to aid delivery in Gaza.
Biden called Netanyahu’s approach a mistake, particularly in light of the dire humanitarian situation in Gaza. The U.S. has pressured Israel to increase aid deliveries, but logistical challenges and security concerns have hindered distribution. Still, Israel has opened more entry points for aid trucks to reach hard-hit areas. Netanyahu has vowed to achieve total victory over Hamas, aiming to prevent further attacks and secure the release of hostages taken by the group in October. However, Israel’s international isolation has intensified, with close partners expressing dissatisfaction with the ongoing conflict.
As the war in Gaza persists, Israel faces growing pressure to determine a postwar strategy, with critics accusing Netanyahu of delaying decisions to appease ultranationalist governing partners. The conflict, sparked by Hamas’ assault, has resulted in thousands of Palestinian casualties and displacement across Gaza. The humanitarian crisis has deepened, with many parts of Gaza left uninhabitable due to extensive damage. Hamas’ defeat is claimed by the Israeli military, but the ongoing violence suggests the conflict is far from over.
