Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh said three of his sons and four grandsons were killed in an Israeli strike in Gaza, where the war has been going on for more than six months.
The Qatar-based political head of the Palestinian militant group confirmed to Al Jazeera "the martyrdom of my three sons and some of my grandsons".
According to Al Jazeera, a drone hit the family's car in the al-Shati refugee camp in the northern Gaza Strip.
Speaking from the hospital in Doha where he was told of the strike, Haniyeh was adamant.
He argued that by targeting relatives of Hamas leaders, "the (Israeli) occupation believes it will break the resolve of our people."
However, according to Haniyeh, such actions will fail to force Hamas to negotiate a ceasefire and release the hostages.
"Our entire people and all the families in Gaza have paid a heavy price in blood, and I am one of them," Haniyeh added.
He said nearly "60 members of my family have now died, including my grandchildren, my brother's sons, my sister's sons and my cousins."
The strike, which Israel has yet to comment on, came at a time when there was no sign of progress in mediation efforts led by the United States, Egypt, and Qatar, which are trying to end the war. / BGNES
