Ismail Haniyeh us informed of his sons death
The IDF on Wednesday said it had launched an air strike that killed the three sons of Hamas senior political leader Ismail Haniyeh who were military operatives in the terror group and on their way to launch an attack.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Yoav Gallant were not informed of the strike in advance, officials said.
Qatari owned Al Jazeera quoted family members who said they were traveling in a car with their children when it was struck from the air.
Haniyeh said he was happy that his children died a martyr's death. "All Gazans paid a price and so did I," he told he network.
Aftermath of an Israeli strike on Gaza killing Haniyeh's sons
He said some 60 members of his family had already been killed. "The occupation believes by targeting the sons of Hamas leaders they can break our people's determination. We tell them the blood will only make us stronger in our principles."
The sons of the head of the Hamas political bureau who is based in Qatar, controlled the Gaza real-estate market. They also own generators and sell electric power to local residents.
They were known locally for their fondness for alcohol and parties and were often seen at clubs in the company of women who were not their wives.
Haniyeh's sister, Sabah Abdel Salam Haniyeh, who is married to an Israeli citizen and resides in the Bedouin city of Tel Sheva, was arrested last week on suspicion of encouraging and incitement to terrorism.