Israel confirms killing Hamas leader Haniyeh’s three sons

The leader of Hamas said on Wednesday Israel had killed three of his sons in an air strike in Gaza as the war in the Palestinian territory raged despite ongoing truce negotiations in Cairo.

Qatar-based Ismail Haniyeh said his three sons and “some of” his grandchildren had been killed in the strike in an interview with Al Jazeera.

The Hamas chief decried what he described as Israel’s brutality, but stressed that Palestinian leaders will not back down if their families and homes are targeted.

“There is no doubt that this criminal enemy is driven by the spirit of revenge and the spirit of murder and bloodshed, and it does not observe any standards or laws,” Haniyeh said, adding that 60 members of his family have been killed since the start of the conflict.

More to follow.