How Israel's Strike on Hamas Leader's Family May Impact the War

How Israel’s Strike on Hamas Leader’s Family May Impact the War

GAZA CITY, GAZA – APRIL 10: Palestinian people stand by the vehicle targeted by Israeli forces in the attack turned into scrap at Al-Shati refugee camp in Gaza City, Gaza on April 10, 2024. Wednesday’s killing in the Gaza Strip of three sons of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh, along with of his two grandchildren, was carried out by a missile launched from an Israeli drone, according to an Israeli media outlet. (Photo by Khader m. Zanuon/Anadolu via Getty Images)

Posted: April 11th, 2024

By Peter Green

Peter S. Green is a veteran foreign correspondent who has covered wars, revolutions and the evolution of democracy, capitalism and authoritarianism in Eastern Europe and the Balkans for The Times of London, the International Herald Tribune and the New York Times. He’s now based in New York, where he writes on both business and international affairs.

SUBSCRIBER+ EXCLUSIVE REPORTING — The Israeli drone strike that killed three adult sons (who Israel says were Hamas operatives) and four grandchildren of Hamas’s Qatar-based political leader Ismail Haniyeh Wednesday provided the Israeli military a small victory in its pursuit of Hamas leaders, but it may also have set back prospects for a ceasefire with Hamas militants in Gaza, according to Israelis and Palestinians who have spoken publicly on the assassinations.

The attack on a car in which Haniyeh’s sons were riding was quickly claimed by Israel. Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) spokesman Adm. Daniel Hagari said the three were “military operatives of the terrorist organization Hamas on their way to carry out terrorist activities in the central area of the Gaza Strip.” The IDF identified the men as Amir Haniyeh, a Hamas squad commander; and Muhammad and Hazem Haniyeh, both Hamas “operatives,” and confirmed they were Haniyeh’s children.

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