Israel officially confirms the death of Hamas’ military wing commander Izz al-Din al-Haddad
The Israeli army officially announced on Saturday the death of Hamas’ military commander in Gaza, Izz al-Din al-Haddad, who was considered its top target in the enclave, after confirming on Friday that he had been targeted.
Mosques in Gaza also confirmed today the death of al-Haddad, the last historic leader among the founders of the movement in the Gaza Strip.
Hamas has remained officially silent on the incident, but sources within the movement have begun confirming his death.
A joint statement by the Israeli army and the internal security service Shin Bet said he was eliminated in a precision strike.
The army stated in its announcement that, in cooperation with Shin Bet, it had killed “the terrorist known as Izz al-Din al-Haddad, commander of the military wing of the terrorist Hamas,” noting that he was among the last military leaders of the movement “who were behind the bloody October 7 massacre.”
Seven people were killed in the operation targeting al-Haddad, whom Israel accuses of playing a major role in the October 7 attack and believes he had been responsible for Israeli hostages over recent years.
According to the Israeli account, the strike targeted a secret apartment in the Rimal district of Gaza City, and the intensity of the bombing was described as “exceptionally violent.” Local sources also reported that his wife and daughter were killed in the same strike.
According to the Israeli army and Shin Bet, the assassination was carried out following an “extensive intelligence effort” involving military intelligence, the Southern Command, and the air force.
The statement added that Israel had identified several opportunities in recent months to target al-Haddad but had not acted on them, before security services received a “golden intelligence tip” on Friday evening regarding his location, leading to political approval of the airstrike.
Israeli Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir said that the killing of al-Haddad represented “an important closing of a circle,” adding that his name repeatedly came up during meetings with Israeli hostages released from Gaza, where he was described as one of the main responsible figures behind the October 7 attack.
Zamir affirmed that the Israeli army “will continue to pursue everyone involved in the October 7 attack,” stressing the continuation of military operations against Hamas leaders.
Al-Haddad took over leadership of the movement in June last year after the death of Mohammed Sinwar.
The name of Mohammed Ouda, head of intelligence in Hamas’ military wing, has emerged among the main candidates to succeed al-Haddad in the military leadership.
Mohammed Ouda is considered one of the few senior leaders still alive and serves as head of military intelligence within the armed wing.
Following the killing of Northern Gaza Brigade commander Ahmed Ghandour, reports indicated that he had taken over command of the brigade.
