Israel kills leader of Hamas’ military wing, key architect of October 7 attacks
Izz al-Din al-Haddad was killed in a strike in Gaza City.
Israel says it has killed the leader of Hamas’ military wing, one of the architects of the October 7 attacks that triggered the war in Gaza in 2023.
Izz al-Din al-Haddad was killed in a strike in Gaza City on Friday, Israel’s army said.
He was one of the last senior commanders in Hamas’ military who had directed the planning and execution of the Hamas-led attacks on Israel.
Al-Haddad assumed the role after his predecessor, Mohammed Sinwar, was killed, Israeli officials said.
On Saturday, Haddad’s family confirmed his death to the Associated Press.
His killing came as the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas remains fragile as key issues like the disarmament of Hamas stall the deal’s progress.
Despite the ceasefire, which went into effect in October, Gaza has seen near-daily Israeli fire with more than 850 people being killed since then, according to Gaza’s health ministry.
The October 7 attacks killed some 1,200 people in Israel and saw more than 250 taken hostage into Gaza.
Israel’s retaliatory strikes have killed more than 72,700 people, according to the Gaza health ministry. The ministry is part of Gaza’s Hamas-run government, but staffed by medical professionals who maintain and publish detailed records, viewed as generally reliable by the international community.
Al-Haddad’s funeral was held on Saturday in Gaza City. His body was wrapped in Hamas and Palestinians flags as it was carried by mourners.
He joined Hamas when it was established in the 1980s, and was a member of the Qassam Brigades’ Majd section, which was tasked to go after collaborators with Israel.
He was also a member of Hamas’ Military Council, the highest group of commanders that played a key role in the attacks that sparked the war.
Israel’s chief of staff for the army called his killing a significant operation, and said Israel would continue pursuing its enemies to hold them accountable.
Since the shaky ceasefire was reached, both Israel and Hamas have traded accusations of violations. Israel has targeted Hamas members inside the coastal enclave, the last of whom was the son of Hamas’ lead negotiator, Khalil al-Hayya.