Strike in Gaza Claims Lives of Ismail Haniyeh’s Sister and Family

A tragic incident occurred in the northern Gaza Strip on Tuesday when a strike resulted in the loss of Ismail Haniyeh’s sister and her family. Hamas, the armed group, and a Gazan rescue official confirmed the devastating news.

Hamas released a statement acknowledging the passing of Zaher Haniyeh, the sister of Ismail Haniyeh, who leads the Hamas political bureau from exile in Qatar. The Israeli military stated that while they are aware of the reports, they are unable to currently verify that the Haniyeh family home was targeted in the strike.

According to Mahmoud Basal, a spokesperson for the Palestinian Civil Defense, rescue teams worked tirelessly to retrieve the bodies of Zaher Haniyeh, her husband, and their eight children from their demolished home in the Shati neighborhood of northern Gaza.

An Israeli airstrike in April had previously claimed the lives of three of Mr. Haniyeh’s sons and three grandchildren while they were traveling in a car in Gaza. The Israeli military confirmed the strike and mentioned the sons’ involvement in Hamas’s military activities. Ismail Haniyeh had referred to his sons as martyrs and highlighted the significant losses his extended family has faced due to Israeli actions over time.