An Israeli airstrike has killed the son of senior Hamas negotiator Khalil Al-Hayya amid ongoing talks in Cairo aimed at preserving the fragile ceasefire between Israel and Hamas.
The latest escalation comes as regional mediators and U.S.-backed officials push to advance the second phase of President Donald Trump’s Gaza peace plan.
Senior Hamas official Basim Naim said on Thursday that Azzam Al-Hayya, son of Khalil Al-Hayya, died from injuries sustained in an Israeli strike carried out on Wednesday night.
According to Hamas officials, Azzam is the fourth son of Khalil Al-Hayya to be killed in Israeli attacks over the years.
The Israeli military did not immediately respond to requests for comment regarding the strike.
Khalil Al-Hayya, Hamas’ exiled Gaza chief and a key figure in ceasefire negotiations, has survived several Israeli assassination attempts.
Last year, an Israeli strike in Doha targeting Hamas leadership reportedly killed one of his sons while Hayya survived the attack.
Two of his other sons were also killed in earlier Israeli operations in Gaza in 2008 and 2014.
Hayya is the father of seven children.
Hamas Accuses Israel
Speaking to Al Jazeera before his son’s death was officially announced, Hayya accused Israel of attempting to sabotage ongoing mediation efforts.
“These Zionist attacks and violations clearly indicate that the occupation does not want to abide by a ceasefire or by the first phase,” Hayya said.
The comments came as Hamas leaders and representatives of other Palestinian factions met regional mediators in Cairo this week.
Officials said the meetings in Cairo also involved Nickolay Mladenov, the lead envoy of the so-called “Board of Peace,” which is overseeing implementation of Trump’s Gaza initiative.
The proposed plan, agreed to by Israel and Hamas in October, includes the withdrawal of Israeli troops from Gaza and the start of reconstruction efforts.
In return, Hamas would gradually lay down its weapons as part of a broader peace framework.
Despite progress in negotiations, Hamas’ disarmament remains one of the biggest sticking points in talks.
The issue has complicated efforts to fully implement the October ceasefire that brought an end to nearly two years of intense war in Gaza.
Regional mediators continue working to prevent renewed large-scale fighting as tensions remain high following the latest Israeli strikes.
