News of the terrible death of eminent Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh is received with heavy hearts and increased tensions. An Israeli airstrike on Gaza killed three of his sons, which clouded the current talks for a truce and the release of the hostages.
Citing the three men as "Hamas military operatives" supposedly involved in terrorist actions, the Israeli military verified its involvement. Among the dead were Amir Haniyeh, a commander in Hamas' military wing, and two operatives, Mohammad and Hazem Haniyeh.
The Haniyeh family was unexpectedly faced with disaster as their car was targeted at the Al Shati refugee camp during Eid al-Fitr celebrations, which mark the end of Ramadan, according to details of the incident. As a CNN journalist on the scene noted, the strike not only killed the Haniyeh brothers but also injured Haniyeh's grandchildren and their chauffeur.
Ismail Haniyeh himself defied the sentiments of the bereaved by saying that such losses will only make Hamas more determined. Targeting the families of politicians during talks, he underlined, would not weaken their dedication to their mission.
Nevertheless, in the middle of the grief and resolution, demand from other countries grows for a ceasefire. In Cairo, CIA Director Bill Burns put up a fresh plan aimed at closing gaps and securing the release of hostages. Hamas, however, is having trouble locating the forty Israeli captives required for the first step of the agreement, which could indicate a dire future of more bloodshed.
The urgent plea for peace becomes stronger as the fighting keeps taking a toll on both sides. With thousands of people now dead and innumerable more suffering, there is a need for communication and humanitarian action that will provide some light in the gloom of war.
SORCE : CNN