After hours of uncertainty, Israel confirmed the killing of Izz al-Din al-Haddad, head of Hamas’s military wing and one of the architects of the October 7 massacre. The mass murderer was involved in holding Israeli hostages, ran the captivity apparatus, and worked to rebuild the organization’s capabilities after the killing of Mohammed Sinwar in recent months in Gaza.
Israeli forces killed the head of the military wing of the murderous terror organization Hamas, terrorist Izz al-Din al-Haddad, in a precision strike in Gaza City overnight Friday to Saturday. Al-Haddad was one of the last senior Hamas officials who promoted the murderous October 7 massacre.
Al-Haddad was appointed to his position after the killing of Mohammed Sinwar, and throughout the recent period worked to rebuild the capabilities of the terror organization’s military wing and to plan numerous terror attacks against Israeli citizens and IDF forces.
Throughout the war, the terrorist was involved in holding many Israeli hostages in Hamas captivity. In addition, al-Haddad managed the hostage-holding apparatus and even surrounded himself with Israeli hostages in order to prevent his assassination.
Al-Haddad is one of the most veteran commanders in the organization, who joined its ranks during its founding period and was extremely close to Hamas’s leadership. Throughout his time in the organization, Haddad took a central role in the terror regime and filled a series of key positions, including commander of the Gaza City Brigade and commander of additional units.
The strike was carried out overnight Friday to Saturday. Shortly after the strike, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz jointly announced the assassination attempt, stating: “This is a clear message to all the murderers seeking our lives—sooner or later Israel will reach you.”
Confirmation of the killing came during Saturday, first in confirmation by sources in the terror organization Hamas and then in official confirmation by Israel. Immediately upon confirmation of the killing, IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir ordered heightened alert status and maintaining high operational readiness against Hamas retaliation attempts: “I have ordered an immediate response to any attempt to harm our forces or the territory of the State of Israel.”
“This is a significant operational success of the IDF led by Southern Command, Military Intelligence, the Air Force, and the Shin Bet. This is an important closing of the circle. In all the conversations I held with the hostages who returned, the name of the mass murderer, Izz al-Din al-Haddad—one of the main responsible parties for the 10.7 massacre and head of Hamas’s military wing—came up again and again. Today we succeeded in eliminating him. The IDF will continue to pursue our enemies, attack and settle accounts with everyone who was part of the October 7 massacre. We will not let up until we reach them all—this is our duty to all the returnees and to all citizens of the State of Israel,” a statement from the Chief of Staff said.