Israeli officials said on Saturday (local time) that Izz al-Din al-Haddad, a longtime Hamas commander who helped plan the October 7, 2023 attacks in Israel, was killed on Friday.
He was the head of Hamas’ military wing and replaced Mohammed Sinwar, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said in a press release.
The IDF added that after the removal of Sinwar, Haddad assumed his role, working to rebuild Hamas’ capabilities and planning numerous terrorist attacks against Israeli civilians and IDF troops.
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During the war, Haddad was also involved in the detention of many Israeli hostages in the captivity of Hamas and directed the Hamas captivity system by surrounding himself with hostages in an attempt to prevent its liquidation.
Who was Izz al-Din al-Haddad?
Haddad was reportedly one of the longest-serving commanders in Hamas and one of the last senior commanders involved in the planning of the October 7 massacre. He joined the group during its early formation and maintained close ties with the Hamas leadership.
Throughout his time with the group, Haddad played a key role in the terror government of Hamas, holding several high-ranking positions, including commander of the Gaza City Brigade and commander of other units.
According to The Times of Israel, a Hamas official described Haddad as the “Ghost of al-Qassam” because of his low profile. He had previously survived several assassination attempts by Israel and had a $750,000 bounty on his head. His two sons were both killed in the war.
He rose through the ranks of the Al-Qassam Brigades, the military wing of Hamas, and eventually took over as its chief, Arab and Israeli officials said. He was also in al-Majd, Hamas’ internal security group that hunts down those who collaborate with Israel and spies. Al-Majd was previously led by Yahya Sinwar.
In addition, profiles of Haddad described him as someone who kept an extremely low profile, spoke Hebrew, and carried photos of Israeli hostages on his cellphone.
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IDF chief reacts to Haddad’s killing
IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir said in a statement on Haddad’s killing: “This is an important closing of the circle. In all the conversations I have had with the abductees who have returned, the name of the main killer, Iz al-Din Haddad, has come up again and again.”
The Israeli military said Haddad was killed in a “precision strike” in Gaza. His death was confirmed to the AP news agency by his family, and his funeral was held in Gaza City on Saturday.
The Times of Israel reported on Friday that shortly after the airstrike, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz issued statements confirming that they had approved the order to target Haddad, calling him “the commander of the military wing of Hamas.”
The statement went on to say: “Al-Haddad was responsible for the murder, kidnapping and harm caused to thousands of Israeli civilians and IDF soldiers.” The two leaders also noted that Haddad held Israeli hostages in brutal captivity and “orchestrated terrorist attacks against our forces and refused to implement the agreement advanced by US President Donald Trump to disarm Hamas and demilitarize the Gaza Strip.”
Israeli airstrike on Gaza
The airstrike, which came amid a shaky ceasefire between Israel and the terror group, targeted a residential building in the Gaza city neighborhood of Riman. Footage circulating online showed a huge cloud of dust and smoke coming from the burning building.
Medics at Saraya Field Hospital and Shifa Hospital of the Palestine Red Crescent Society told the Associated Press that at least seven people were killed and dozens wounded in the airstrikes.
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Citing a military source, The Times of Israel said the air force attacked the hideout where Haddad was said to be present, along with a vehicle that left the site at the same time, to prevent the Hamas leader’s attempt to flee.
Up to three jets took part in the strike, dropping 13 bombs on the site.
But the recent strikes are now casting doubt on the future of the precarious ceasefire.
