Haniyeh says Israeli airstrike killing his 3 sons does not rule out possibility of deal

By Reuters and ToI Staff 11 April 2024, 8:45 pm 5 Edit

Ismail Haniyeh, the Doha-based political bureau chief of the Palestinian terror group Hamas, speaks on a televised speech on the occasion of Quds (Jerusalem) Day on April 3, 2024. (Hamas Media Office/AFP)

Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh says that reaching a truce and hostage release deal with Israel is still possible even following an airstrike in Gaza which killed three of his sons.

Haniyeh also denies to Reuters that his sons were operatives in the terror group, which Israel said yesterday following the strike.

“The interests of the Palestinian people are placed ahead of everything,” he says, when asked if their killing would impact talks.

“We are seeking to reach a deal, but the occupation is still procrastinating and evading a response to the demands,” he tells Reuters.