In a tragic incident on Wednesday, three sons of Ismail Haniyeh, the most senior political leader of Hamas, were killed in an Israeli airstrike in the Gaza Strip. According to Hamas media channels and relatives, Ameer, Hazem, and Mohammed Haniyeh were fatally hit near the Shati refugee camp in Gaza City.

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed the strike, stating that they targeted "three Hamas military operatives that conducted terrorist activity in the central Gaza Strip." The IDF identified Ameer Haniyeh as a cell commander in the Hamas military wing, while Mohammad Haniyeh and Hazem Haniyeh were described as military operatives.

Hamas claimed that the strike occurred near a home belonging to the Haniyeh family. Ismail Haniyeh himself expressed his grief and frustration during a live interview with Al Jazeera. He revealed that not only his sons but also some of his grandchildren were killed in the attack. Haniyeh asserted that their family had been targeted while visiting relatives to celebrate Eid.

"The occupation thinks that by targeting sons of the leaders, they will break the resolve of our people," Haniyeh stated defiantly. "We will not retreat, and we are going to go all the way to liberate Jerusalem and Al-Aqsa."

Haniyeh also disclosed that this tragedy adds to the already high toll his family has paid since the escalation of violence between Israel and Hamas began. He claimed that 60 family members have been killed since Israel launched its war in Gaza following the group's terror attack on October 7.

It is important to note that Israel and the U.S. have long viewed Hamas as a terrorist organization. However, it is also one of the two main Palestinian political factions. Ismail Haniyeh, as the head of Hamas' politburo, has resided in Qatar for years as the location of the group's office.

As tensions continue to rise and both sides remain steadfast in their positions, the international community calls for restraint and renewed efforts to find a lasting solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The loss of lives, regardless of the political affiliations, underscores the devastating toll of this ongoing conflict on innocent civilians.