GAZA, May 7 (Xinhua) -- Azzam al-Hayya, son of senior Hamas leader Khalil al-Hayya, died Thursday from injuries sustained in an Israeli airstrike, according to Palestinian medical sources.
The sources told Xinhua that Azzam al-Hayya succumbed to critical injuries suffered in an Israeli airstrike that targeted a gathering of Palestinians in central Gaza City on Wednesday.
He had been receiving treatment at the Baptist Hospital in Gaza City, where doctors later pronounced him dead on Thursday morning.
Israeli military sources confirmed Wednesday night that the Israeli army had targeted Azzam al-Hayya. He was the fourth son of Khalil al-Hayya to be killed in Israeli operations in recent years.
In remarks following his son's death, Khalil al-Hayya said the targeting was "an extension of the aggression against our people everywhere" and accused Israel of attempting to pressure Palestinian negotiators through military escalation.
He further warned that Israel's threats of expanded military operations in Gaza were intended to force concessions from Palestinian leaders and negotiators. ■
