Israel’s military announced Saturday it had conducted an airstrike in Gaza City targeting Izz al-Din al-Haddad, a senior commander within Hamas's military wing. Officials on both sides of the conflict confirm his death. Israel described Haddad as a principal architect of the October 7th attacks, and the last surviving senior official involved in planning that day's events. Hamas sources have also confirmed his demise.
The strike, which reportedly hit a residential building in the Rimal neighborhood of Gaza City on Friday, has been a focal point of statements from Israeli defense officials. Haddad, according to these accounts, held a significant role, previously serving as chief of Hamas’s Gaza City Brigade and subsequently taking command of the terror group's military wing after his predecessor’s death. He is also said to have managed Hamas's operations concerning hostages, a detail highlighted by the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) in their statements.
Read More: IDF Fires Shot Near Olive Harvest Volunteers in West Bank
Following the strike, photos circulated showing mourners carrying Haddad’s body, draped with a Hamas flag. Reports indicate he was killed alongside at least six others. The IDF statement suggested Haddad deliberately surrounded himself with hostages to avoid being targeted. Following this strike, Palestinian reports indicated further airstrikes in Gaza City, targeting both a residential building and a vehicle.
The narrative surrounding Haddad’s role, as presented by Israeli authorities, positions him as a central figure in orchestrating the October 7th attacks. This characterization, coupled with his reported position of leadership and involvement in hostage management, underscores the significance Israel attaches to his elimination. The killing is framed as a blow to Hamas's operational capabilities and a measure of accountability for the October 7th events.
Previously, other Hamas figures described as architects of the October 7th attacks have been reported killed. In December of last year, Israel announced the death of Ra’ad Sa’ad, identified as the head of Hamas’s Weapons Production Headquarters and a planner of the October 7th attacks. According to IDF statements at the time, Sa’ad was responsible for weapon production for the attack and continued this work even during a ceasefire. He was also credited with establishing Hamas's Gaza City Brigade and naval force.
Read More: ISIS Second-in-Command Killed in Nigeria Operation
The context of these reported killings is the ongoing conflict that erupted after the October 7th attacks. The Gaza Health Ministry reports over 850 Palestinian citizens killed since the conflict escalated.
