Israel Kills Senior Hamas Commander in Gaza City Strike

Mosques in the northern Gaza Strip announced the death of Izz al-Din al-Haddad on Saturday, which the Israeli army subsequently confirmed. According to two Hamas officials, he was killed in an Israeli strike on a residential house and a civilian vehicle in Gaza City on Friday.

The Israeli army said a targeted air strike killed a Hamas military wing commander whom it described as having been involved in planning several attacks against Israeli civilians and soldiers. After the outbreak of the war, he was also responsible for operations related to the detention of Israeli hostages.

Haddad, also known as Abu Suhaib, had served as both the head of Hamas in the Gaza Strip and commander of the Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades following the death of Mohammed Sinwar.

Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Haddad was one of the architects of the 7 October 2023 Hamas attack on Israel that triggered the war in Gaza.

(reuters, bak)