Israeli Airstrike Kills Hamas Leader's Sons, 4 Grandchildren

On Wednesday, Israeli aircraft targeted and killed three sons of Hamas' top political leader, Ismail Haniyeh, in the Gaza Strip. Hamas claimed that four of Haniyeh's grandchildren were also killed in the attack. The strike was characterized by the militant group as an act of revenge and murder, threatening to strain any potential cease-fire negotiations between Israeli and Hamas. Benny Gantz, the Israeli War Cabinet minister, claimed that Hamas has been defeated militarily, although he noted that fighting against the group will continue for years to come. The deaths of Haniyeh's sons came as Israel is under increasing pressure, notably from the United States, to alter its approach to the war, particularly regarding humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip. Israel has struggled to maintain its ties with the U.S. amidst the ongoing war, particularly following an airstrike last week on an aid convoy that killed seven workers, most of them foreigners. The U.S. has been pressing Israel to increase its humanitarian aid to the territory, which is home to more than a million people facing imminent famine. Israeli officials have expressed their commitment to continuing the offensive in Rafah, which has been a point of tension between Israel and the U.S. amidst the increasing humanitarian crisis.