Three sons of Hamas’ top leader were killed in an Israeli airstrike in the Gaza Strip. Ismail Haniyeh accused Israel of acting in the spirit of revenge and murder. The deaths of his sons are one of the highest-profile killings in the ongoing conflict. The Israeli military described the men as militants involved in activities in central Gaza. Haniyeh vowed that Hamas would not cave in to the pressure, despite the loss of his sons.
Haniyeh confirmed the deaths of his sons in an interview and stated they were martyred on the road to liberating Jerusalem and the Al-Aqsa Mosque. He expressed his belief that the killings would not pressure Hamas into softening its positions. Haniyeh, who lives in exile in Qatar, received the news of his sons’ deaths while visiting wounded Palestinians in a hospital in Doha. He mourned the loss, saying “There is no might and no power but by God.”
Israeli war cabinet minister Benny Gantz claimed that Hamas has been defeated militarily, but that the fight against the organization will continue for years to come. Gantz stated that fighting against Hamas will take time and that wherever there are terrorist targets, the IDF will be there. Palestinians marked a muted Eid al-Fitr holiday amid the ongoing conflict, visiting the graves of loved ones killed in the war.
The United States has criticized Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s handling of the conflict in Gaza. President Joe Biden called for greater aid to be provided to the territory and pressured Israel to reach a cease-fire. Differences between Israel and the U.S. over humanitarian aid to Gaza have deepened the international isolation of Israel. Israel has faced criticism for delaying aid deliveries to Gaza and has faced challenges in getting supplies to desperate people amidst logistical issues and security concerns.
Israel launched the war in response to Hamas’ cross-border assault that resulted in many civilian casualties and hostages. The conflict has resulted in a humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza, with many areas being uninhabitable due to the destruction caused by the fighting. Israel has faced growing isolation as its actions in the conflict have drawn international criticism. Netanyahu, under pressure to decide on a postwar vision for Gaza, faces challenges in balancing the demands of his governing partners and international pressure for a cease-fire. The conflict is ongoing, with no clear resolution in sight.
