Khalil al-Hayya, a senior figure in Hamas in Gaza, has said that Israel is “mistaken” if it believes it can achieve its objectives by targeting political leaders and their families. His remarks came during a speech in which he mourned his son, Azzam al-Hayya, who was killed in an Israeli strike on Gaza City.

He stated that the killings of leaders or their relatives would not change what he described as the movement’s political aims. He said the group remained part of what he called a wider population determined to pursue its goals, adding that pressure through military action would not succeed in shaping outcomes on the ground.

Al-Hayya also said the latest killing formed part of a broader pattern, referencing previous strikes on negotiators abroad. He said such actions were aimed at influencing discussions through force rather than negotiation. He expressed condolences to families across Gaza, including those who have lost relatives, homes, and livelihoods during what he described as ongoing large-scale violence affecting the territory.