Watch: Hamas leader finds out Israeli airstrike claimed lives of his sons & grandchildren

A viral video, shared on X, captured the moment Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh learned of the loss of his three sons and four grandchildren in an Israeli airstrike.

Haniyeh, residing in exile in Qatar City, received the news while visiting wounded Palestinians in a hospital. His reaction underscored the gravity of the situation as he nodded, looked down at the ground, and uttered, “God rest their souls.”

#Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh’s 3 sons and grandchildren were killed by Israel on Eid. Look at his steadfastness and patience on hearing this shocking news. Indeed #Palestinians are brave people.pic.twitter.com/UU2BJhziPA

— Dr. Raza Khan (@Raza_AKhan) April 11, 2024

While Hamas asserted that Haniyeh’s family members were among the casualties, the Israeli government disputed this claim, stating they had no evidence to support it. The Israeli military maintained that Haniyeh’s sons were skilled combatants within Hamas ranks.

“The three operatives that were struck are Amir Haniyeh, a cell commander in the Hamas military wing, Mohammad Haniyeh, a military operative in the Hamas terrorist organization and Hazem Haniyeh, also a military operative in the Hamas terror organization,” the Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) said in a statement.

Hamas leader warns such actions could derail talks

Haniyeh condemned the airstrike as an act of revenge by Israel, warning that such actions could derail ongoing peace talks mediated by international bodies.

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The militant leader told Al Jazeera, “The enemy believes that by targeting the families of the leaders, it will push them to give up the demands of our people.”

“Anyone who believes that targeting my sons will push Hamas to change its position is delusional.”

The deadly attack occurred on Eid al-Fitr.

Plea for ceasefire

US President Joe Biden called for an immediate ceasefire to facilitate the entry of food and aid into Gaza during an interview on Univision.

“So, I what I’m calling for is for the Israelis to just call for a cease-fire, allow for the next six, eight weeks total access to all food and medicine going into the country,” Biden said in the interview.

Israel’s Minister of Defence Yoav Gallant, responded to Biden’s call in a media briefing, expressing the country’s commitment to cooperation while reaffirming its stance on security measures.

“Let me say loud and clear – the defense establishment takes the United States very seriously,” Gallant said. “Since the establishment of the state of Israel and since the start of this war, the U.S. has been standing with Israel.”

Efforts to facilitate humanitarian aid to Gaza are underway, with Israel announcing measures to streamline the entry of goods and medicine into the region.