IDF strike in Gaza
IDF strike in GazaAtia Mohammed/Flash90

Three of the children and several grandchildren of Ismail Haniyeh, the head of the political bureau of the Hamas terrorist organization, have been killed in an attack on a vehicle in the Gaza Strip.

The terrorist leader confirmed to Al Jazeera that his children were killed, saying that they were killed "on the way to the liberation of Jerusalem and Al-Aqsa Mosque" and that he was thankful "for the honor that my children and grandchildren are martyrs."

Haniyeh has 13 offspring , most of whom are in leadership or management positions in Hamas and the Gaza Strip. They live in the area of the Al-Shati camp west of Gaza City.

Haniyeh lives in Qatar and is estimated to be worth $4 billion.

The three operatives that were struck are Amir Haniyeh, a cell commander in the Hamas military wing, Mohammad Haniyeh, a military operative in the Hamas terrorist organization, and Hazem Haniyeh, also a military operative in the Hamas terror organization.

The IDF later confirmed that IAF aircraft, directed by IDF and ISA intelligence, struck three Hamas military operatives who conducted terrorist activity in the central Gaza Strip.

The IDF confirmed that the three operatives are the sons of Ismail Haniyeh, chairman of Hamas's political bureau.

Last week, officers from the Southern District Border Police, Negev Yasam (special riot police), the Israel Police Aerial Formation, and regional and national intelligence units raided the home of Haniyeh's sister in southern Israel.

She is suspected of corresponding with Hamas terrorists, and sympathizing with a terror organization while inciting and supporting acts of terror in Israel.

During the raid, law enforcement found documents, media, telephones, and other evidence connecting the suspect to severe security offenses against the State of Israel.

Haniyeh has two brothers and eight sisters - three of his siblings are married to Bedouin Israeli citizens and live in Tel Sheva.