An Israeli airstrike on Friday killed Izz al-Din al-Haddad, the chief of Hamas’ military wing. the most senior Hamas official killed by Israel since the US-backed ceasefire agreement took effect in October.
Israeli intelligence tracked al-Haddad for over a week before the strike was authorised. Three Israeli Air Force fighter jets participated, dropping 13 bombs on the target.
Emergency services in Gaza said Israel struck a residential building in the al-Rimal neighbourhood near Gaza City on Friday afternoon. A second strike then hit a car on a nearby street. Hamas confirmed that al-Haddad was killed along with his wife and daughter.
The strikes killed at least seven people in total, with more than 50 others injured and taken to Al-Shifa Hospital.
Who was al-Haddad?
Born in Gaza in 1970, al-Haddad joined Hamas at young age. He aligned with the movement since its founding in 1987. He rose through the ranks to serve as commander of the Izz al-Din al-Qassam Brigades, Hamas’ armed wing, and also held the role of Hamas’ leader in the Gaza Strip.
Nicknamed “the Ghost,” he had survived multiple assassination attempts by Israel. He was a member of Hamas’ Military Council, the highest group of commanders, and had played a key role in the attacks that sparked the war.
On 6 October 2023, al-Haddad convened his battalion commanders and distributed written orders for the planned attack on Israel, later known as Operation Al-Aqsa Flood. The orders emphasised abducting Israeli soldiers and transporting them into Gaza, as well as live broadcasting and the targeting of Israeli communities.
He took over the role of Hamas chief in Gaza following the killing of Mohammed Sinwar in May 2025, who was himself the brother and successor of Yahya Sinwar.
Israel’s statement
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defence Minister Israel Katz described al-Haddad as an architect of the October 7, 2023 attacks. They said he was “responsible for the murder, abduction and harm inflicted on thousands of Israeli civilians and soldiers.”
The IDF stated that throughout the war, al-Haddad managed Hamas’s hostage captivity system and surrounded himself with hostages in an attempt to prevent his elimination.
After announcement, IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir vowed to “continue to pursue our enemies, strike them and hold accountable everyone who took part in the October 7th massacre.”
Hamas’ response
Hamas condemned Israel’s killing of al-Haddad and called it the latest Israeli breach of the ceasefire agreement. The group said such attacks demonstrate Israel’s “disregard for all international laws and conventions.”
Hamas spokesman Hazem Qassem confirmed al-Haddad’s death, calling him “one of the greatest fighters of our Palestinian people.”
A joint funeral took place on Saturday at Al-Aqsa Martyrs Mosque in central Gaza for al-Haddad, his wife, and his 19-year-old daughter.
Israel has previously killed other senior Hamas figures, including the Sinwar brothers, Hamas politburo head Ismail Haniyeh, and longtime military chief Muhammad Deif. Al-Haddad was among the last remaining commanders directly linked to the planning of October 7.