Israel says it has killed Izz al‑Din al‑Haddad, the newly appointed head of Hamas’ military wing, in a targeted airstrike on Gaza City. The strike hit the Remal neighborhood late Tuesday, flattening part of a residential block and killing Haddad along with his wife, daughter, and several others. His two sons had already died earlier in the war.
The Israeli military described Haddad as “one of the last surviving architects of the October 7 attacks,” which left about 1,200 people dead and more than 250 taken hostage. “This was a significant operation against a senior terrorist commander directly responsible for the massacre of our citizens,” an IDF spokesperson said.
Hamas confirmed Haddad’s death, condemning it as a “cowardly assassination” and vowing retaliation. His funeral was held in Gaza City, where his body was carried through the streets wrapped in Hamas and Palestinian flags, mourned by supporters.
Haddad, nicknamed “The Ghost” for his ability to evade Israeli intelligence, had survived multiple assassination attempts over the years. He joined Hamas in the 1980s and rose through the ranks to become a senior commander in the Qassam Brigades. His death is seen as a symbolic blow to Hamas, though analysts caution the group has repeatedly shown resilience by quickly replacing fallen leaders.
The strike underscores the fragility of the U.S.‑brokered ceasefire agreed in October 2025. Gaza’s Health Ministry reports more than 850 people have been killed in Israeli strikes since then, with overall casualties exceeding 72,000 since the war began in 2023. Israel insists its operations target Hamas leaders and infrastructure, while humanitarian groups warn of mounting civilian suffering and displacement.
Security analysts say Haddad’s killing may provoke further escalation, complicating efforts to sustain the ceasefire and worsening Gaza’s humanitarian crisis. International observers have expressed concern that the strike could derail fragile negotiations aimed at stabilizing the region.
