LATEST: Airstrike in Israel Results in the Death of Six Family Members of Hamas Leader, Haniyeh

Ismail Haniyeh

Ismail Haniyeh, a top figure in Hamas, disclosed to Al Jazeera that his offspring was paying a visit to kin for Eid celebrations at the Shati refugee camp located in the northern part of Gaza at the time they became targets.

 Six relatives of Ismail Haniyeh, including three of his sons and three grandchildren, perished during an airstrike by Israel on a refugee camp in Gaza, reports from Shehab, a news source aligned with Hamas, confirm.

Haniyeh shared with Al Jazeera that his offspring was visiting family for Eid festivities at the Shati refugee camp in northern Gazawhen they fell victim to the attack.

The leader of Hamas publicly condemned what he calls the savagery of Israel, yet he emphasized that the leaders of Palestine are determined not to retreat when their families and residences come under attack.

“This flagrant enemy is motivated by a desire for revenge, a thirst for killing, and spilling blood, lacking any adherence to norms or laws,” Haniyeh voiced, mentioning that the war has claimed the lives of 60 of his family members thus far.

"An ethnic cleansing war and genocide are underway in Gaza, marked by extensive forced relocations," he observed.

Moreover, the media office in Gaza verified that Israeli combat planes were responsible for the death of Haniyeh’s offspring and grandchildren when they hit a "civilian vehicle" at the outset of Eid el-Fitr.

It was reported that several of his children and grandchildren were inside the vehicle at the time.

“Our ongoing condemnation is directed towards Israel’s continued aggression against our Palestinian populace,” stated the office, noting that over the past 24 hours, hospitals have received at least 125 deceased Palestinians.

“The US administration, along with the international community and the Israeli regime, are held accountable for these mass killings and crimes still unfolding in this ongoing genocide,” it further asserted.