Family members of Ismail Haniyeh, the head of Hamas’s political bureau, were killed in an Israeli airstrike on a vehicle in the Shati refugee camp in Gaza, according to local sources. Malak Haniyeh, the granddaughter of Ismail Haniyeh, later died from injuries sustained in the same strike, which also claimed the life of her father and other relatives.

The Israeli military has not publicly confirmed details of the targeted strike. The incident is part of ongoing hostilities between Israel and Hamas amid heightened conflict in the Gaza Strip.

Despite the loss of his family members, Hamas officials remain firm in their negotiating position. Ezzat al-Reshq, a senior Hamas leader, stated that a permanent ceasefire is essential to halt violence and protect Palestinian lives. He emphasized that Hamas will not accept anything short of a full Israeli withdrawal from Gaza and the right of all displaced Palestinians to return to their homes.

Al-Reshq also accused the Israeli government, led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, of seeking only a temporary agreement focused on the release of Israeli captives held by Hamas. He warned that without a lasting deal, hostile actions and civilian casualties will continue. According to him, Israel’s attempts to forcibly recover the captives have failed, and the stalemate persists after more than six months of conflict.

He further described Israel’s targeting of civilians and civilian infrastructure as evidence of its inability to secure a decisive victory. “These acts signal defeat, not triumph,” al-Reshq said, underscoring the entrenched nature of the confrontation.

The Israeli government has repeatedly stated its intent to neutralize threats posed by militant groups in Gaza and secure the release of hostages, but the situation remains volatile, with significant humanitarian consequences for the civilian population on both sides.