GAZA: The leader of the Palestinian resistance group Hamas said on Wednesday Israel had killed three of his sons in an air strike in Gaza as Israeli forces continue bombardment despite ongoing truce negotiations in Cairo.
Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh shared this during an interview with Al Jazeera, stating that his sons, along with “some of” his grandchildren, were killed in the Israeli airstrike. The Israeli military did not immediately comment on the incident.
The latest strikes were carried out amidst ongoing talks in Cairo aimed at halting the violence and negotiating the release of hostages. However, despite international pressure, including from the United States, Israel remained engaged in oppressive operations and airstrikes in Gaza.
US President Joe Biden criticized Israel’s handling of the conflict, labeling it a “mistake” and urging Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to call for a ceasefire. Biden emphasized the need for humanitarian access to Gaza and expressed concern over the escalating humanitarian crisis.
As the Eid al-Fitr holiday started, Gazans marked the occasion amid the devastation of the ongoing conflict. Meanwhile, tens of thousands of worshippers gathered at the Al-Aqsa mosque compound in east Jerusalem, where nurse Rawan Abd described it as “the saddest Eid ever.”
Israeli war cabinet member Benny Gantz declared that Hamas was militarily “defeated,” but stressed Israel’s intention to continue its operations, including a potential ground invasion of Rafah. The possibility of such an invasion has raised international concern, with warnings of further humanitarian catastrophe.
Efforts to broker a ceasefire have been ongoing, with mediators from the United States, Egypt, and Qatar facilitating truce talks. However, Hamas has yet to respond to the latest proposal, which includes a six-week cessation of hostilities and a prisoner exchange.
As Israel continued bombardment, the death toll in Israeli attacks has surpassed 33,484 in Gaza. Humanitarian organizations have condemned the dire situation in Gaza, with reports of “famine-like conditions” exacerbating the suffering of the population.
