Hamas military commander Izz al-Din al-Haddad has reportedly been killed in an Israeli strike on Gaza City, according to a joint statement released by the Israeli military and security agency.
Israeli authorities described al-Haddad as the most senior Hamas military leader in Gaza and one of the key figures behind the October 7, 2023 attack on Israel.
The strike, carried out on Friday, hit the al-Rimal area of Gaza City and reportedly killed at least seven people, including women and a child, while dozens more were injured, according to emergency officials in Gaza.
The Israeli military later confirmed that the operation specifically targeted al-Haddad, describing it as a “precise strike.”
Mosques in northern Gaza also announced his death, though Hamas had not officially commented as of Saturday.
Known as the “Ghost of al-Qassam” because of his low public profile, al-Haddad headed the Izz al-Din al-Qassam Brigades, Hamas’ military wing. Following the deaths of several senior Hamas leaders, he had emerged as one of the group’s top decision-makers.
Israel accused him of helping coordinate the October 7 attacks and of refusing to support proposals tied to a US-backed ceasefire and demilitarisation plan for Gaza.
The strike comes despite an uneasy ceasefire that has technically remained in place since October. Israeli forces have continued carrying out operations in Gaza, saying they are targeting Hamas infrastructure and imminent threats.
According to Palestinian health authorities, hundreds of people have been killed in Israeli strikes since the ceasefire began, underscoring the fragile state of the truce.
