GAZA CITY
Senior Hamas leader Khalil al-Hayah, whose son and daughter-in-law and their three children were killed in an Israeli airstrike on Sunday, said that the ongoing Israeli “crimes” against the Palestinian people would end their struggle for their rights.
“Our people were shocked by another Israeli crime under the watchful eyes of the world,” al-Hayah said in a recorded voice message late Sunday.
Earlier Sunday, al-Hayah’s son, Osama, the latter’s wife and their three children were killed in a devastating Israeli shelling of the residential neighborhood of Shujaya, eastern Gaza City.
The bombardment left scores dead, making Sunday the bloodiest day since Israel commenced its military operation against the Gaza Strip earlier this month with the stated aim of halting rocket attacks from it.
“What happened in Shujaya is a crime that saw the targeting of civilians, shelling of residential houses, killing of whole families, and indiscriminate bombardment by Israeli tanks and warplanes,” he said.
“We are not advocates of death as the ones slain are our sons and grandsons, and our blood is precious but what is more precious for us are our dignity and sanctities,” he said. “This is a decisive battle, and victory would be ours.”
Since July 7, Israel has been pounding the Gaza Strip with air and naval bombardments with the stated aim of halting rocket attacks from it.
On Thursday night, Israel stepped up its offensive to include ground operations, sending thousands of troops into the embattled Palestinian territory.
The operation has left 469 Gazans killed - including 98 on Sunday alone - and 3100 others injured so far.
Israel's military operation, dubbed operation "Protective Edge," is the self-proclaimed Jewish state's third major offensive against Gaza in the last six years.
By Mustafa Haboosh
www.aa.com.tr/en
