Israeli forces killed three sons of the leader of "Hamas" Ismail Haniya in an airstrike in Gaza without consulting senior commanders or political leaders, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Israeli media and "Reuters" reported.
Citing senior Israeli officials, the Walla news agency said that neither Netanyahu nor Defense Minister Yoav Galant were notified in advance of the strike, which was coordinated by the Israeli army and the Shin Bet intelligence service.
>It is noted that Amir, Mohammad and Hazem Haniya were targeted as fighters and not because they are the sons of the political leader of "Hamas".
The Israeli army did not comment on reports that four of Hania's grandchildren were also killed.
The killing of Haniya's relatives is likely to complicate negotiations aimed at achieving an end to fighting in Gaza in exchange for the return of the 133 Israeli hostages believed to be still being held in the besieged enclave.
Hania stated that "Hamas" has "clear and specific" demands to agree to a truce.
"The enemy is wrong if it thinks that attacking my sons at the climax of the negotiations and before the movement has sent its response will make "Hamas" to change his position", he stressed.
Calls by the international community for a ceasefire are growing as the war enters its seventh month. However, there are no signs of progress in the negotiations.
"Hamas" calls for an end to the Israeli offensive, withdrawal of Israeli forces and permission for displaced Palestinians in Gaza to return to their homes.
In turn, Israel wants to ensure the return of the hostages, but emphasizes that it will not end the war until the group "Hamas" not be destroyed as a military force. Tel Aviv still intends to attack the city of Rafah in the southern part of the enclave, where more than one million civilians have taken refuge.