As a result of Israeli Air Force airstrikes on the city of Gaza on May 15, Izz ad-Din al-Haddad, the leader of Hamas's military wing "Al-Qassam", was eliminated. Along with him, seven other people were killed, and more than 50 people were injured.
He is described as one of the highest military commanders involved in planning and executing the attacks in the war that began in late 2023.
According to the Israeli military, he was killed on Friday and played a key role in organizing the large-scale attacks on Israel on October 7, 2023. Those attacks resulted in approximately 1,200 deaths in southern Israel and over 250 people taken hostage.
Hamas press secretary confirmed his death via social media. According to reports, his family members — his wife and daughter — were also killed during the strike.
Al-Haddad had been a member of the movement since its founding in the 1980s. He operated within the organization's military structure, including in the Qassam Brigades, and is said to have worked in units tasked with identifying and punishing Israeli collaborators.
He was also known as a member of Hamas's high military council. The Israeli side described him as "one of the main commanders who led the war" and his killing was recorded as a major operation.
The Israeli army's Chief of Staff called this operation an important achievement and stated that the operation to find and eliminate the country's enemies would continue.
