Israel’s killing of Hamas leader’s sons stokes concerns over talks
Israeli forces killed three sons of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh this week without consulting top commanders or political leaders, Israeli media reported on Thursday, an action that risks complicating efforts to free hostages still in Gaza.
Israel’s government has faced rising pressure from families of the 133 Israeli hostages still believed to be held in the besieged enclave to secure their release, although talks mediated by the US, Egypt and Qatar have yet to secure a deal.
“I can only hope this won’t affect the negotiation. I hope it won’t make Hamas put harder conditions on the deal,” said Ofri Bibas Levy, whose brother Yarden Bibas was taken captive with his wife and two small children during the Hamas-led attack on southern Israel on October 7.
Netanyahu’s government has also faced mounting criticism from Israel’s main ally, the United States, over the conduct of its military campaign and the chain of command in pursuing its objectives. This has been prompted by the rising number of Palestinian civilians killed and stoked most recently by a strike that killed foreign and Palestinian aid workers in Gaza.
Israel’s Walla news agency reported that neither Netanyahu nor Defence Minister Yoav Gallant had been told in advance of Wednesday’s strike on Haniyeh’s sons, which was coordinated by the Israeli military and the Shin Bet intelligence service.
Quoting senior Israeli officials, it reported that Amir, Mohammad and Hazem Haniyeh had been targeted as fighters and not because they were the sons of Hamas’s political leader.
The Israeli military did not comment on reports that four of Haniyeh’s grandchildren had also been killed.
The military declined to comment on Walla and other reports. No comment was available from the prime minister’s office.