Israel has announced the death of a senior Hamas commander, Izz al-Din al-Haddad, in a missile strike over Gaza, describing him as one of the architects of the October 7 massacre. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defence Minister Israel Katz confirmed in a joint statement that an airstrike conducted by the military on Friday evening specifically targeted al-Haddad, the leader of Hamas's Qassam brigades.
Details of the Strike
The joint statement from Netanyahu and Katz asserted that al-Haddad was responsible for the murder, kidnapping, and injury of thousands of Israeli civilians and IDF soldiers. The strike occurred amid ongoing tensions, with at least two Israeli strikes reported in Gaza City on Friday. One strike hit a residential building, while another targeted a vehicle. According to health officials from the Palestine Red Crescent Society's Saraya Field Hospital and Shifa Hospital, where casualties were taken, seven people were killed and dozens more wounded.
Hamas's Response
Hamas has not confirmed or denied the death of al-Haddad, who became the militant group's military chief in the Gaza Strip following Israel's killing of commander Mohammad Sinwar in May 2025. The lack of confirmation leaves some uncertainty about the outcome of the strike.
Fragile Ceasefire Context
Gaza has experienced near-daily Israeli fire despite a fragile ceasefire agreement reached in October. Since that ceasefire, more than 850 people have been killed, according to the Gaza Health Ministry. Netanyahu and Katz have threatened that Israel will continue to target all those involved in the October 7 attack, in which militants killed approximately 1,200 people and took 251 hostages. The statement warned: 'Sooner or later, Israel will reach you.'
Broader Impact
Since Israel launched its offensive in response to the 2023 Hamas attack, over 72,700 people have been killed in Gaza. Palestinian citizens reported additional airstrikes following the one targeting al-Haddad, though it was not immediately clear what the Israeli military was aiming at. Both Israel and Hamas have accused each other of violating the shaky ceasefire. Israel has previously targeted Hamas members inside the coastal enclave, including the son of Hamas's lead negotiator, Khalil al-Hayya.
