Pentagon Chief Confirms Death of Bin Laden's Son

The head of the Pentagon, Mark Esper, has confirmed the death of Hamza bin Laden, the son and heir of Al-Qaeda founder Osama bin Laden.

“I don’t have any additional details,” he said in an interview with Fox News. Esper added that even if he did have more information, it was unlikely he would be able to share it.

Earlier reports from American media indicated that Hamza bin Laden was killed during an operation involving the U.S. government. U.S. President Donald Trump and other senior officials have declined to confirm or deny these reports.

Osama bin Laden had 20 children, with Hamza being born to his third wife. He is believed to have become one of the leaders of a faction within Al-Qaeda by the age of 30. He was often referred to as the “crown prince of jihad.” Hamza had released audio and video messages calling for attacks on the U.S. to avenge his father's death.