Israel Says Hamas Commander Killed in Gaza Strike

Israel says it has killed senior Hamas commander Izz ad-Din al-Haddad in an air strike on Gaza City, describing him as a key figure behind the group’s 7 October 2023 attack on southern Israel.

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In a joint statement, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defence Minister Yisrael Katz said Haddad had been “one of the architects of the October 7 massacre” and was responsible for the killing, kidnapping and injury of thousands of Israeli civilians and soldiers.

Hamas has not confirmed or denied the claim that Haddad, a commander in the group’s armed wing, the Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades, was killed.

Air strike hits Gaza City building

According to three eyewitnesses who spoke to the BBC, the attack targeted a residential building known as Al-Mu’taz in central Gaza City.

Witnesses said the building was struck by three missiles launched simultaneously from two directions, triggering a large fire.

Rescue teams rushed to the site but faced difficulties evacuating those injured in the blast, they said.

One witness reported that at least one body and several wounded people were removed from the building. The extent of casualties was not immediately clear.

Second strike targets fleeing vehicle

A second Israeli air strike reportedly targeted a vehicle leaving the scene shortly after the initial attack.

Eyewitnesses and a local source said the car was struck around 1.5km (0.9 miles) from the apartment building, killing three people.

Local sources suggested the vehicle may have been transporting Haddad after he was seriously wounded in the first strike.

Witnesses said armed Hamas members wearing civilian clothes had evacuated a badly injured person through a side entrance of the building and placed him in the car before it drove away.

A senior Israeli security official later said preliminary information indicated that Haddad had been successfully targeted.

Strike during ongoing ceasefire

The strike comes despite a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas that took effect on 10 October. Israel has continued to carry out regular attacks across the Gaza Strip since the truce began.

Hamas has repeatedly accused Israel of violating the ceasefire and targeting civilians. The Israeli government says it retains the right to strike Hamas members.

Israel has also accused Hamas of breaching the agreement by refusing to disarm.

Netanyahu and Katz said Haddad had rejected a US-backed plan led by Donald Trump aimed at disarming Hamas and demilitarising Gaza.

“We will continue to act forcefully and decisively against anyone who took part in the October 7 massacre,” the statement said.

Peace plan stalled as conflict continues

Diplomatic efforts led by the United States have struggled to advance since the start of the conflict involving Iran earlier this year.

Washington announced the launch of the second phase of its Gaza plan in January. The proposal envisaged governance of Gaza by a transitional technocratic administration alongside the territory’s demilitarisation and reconstruction.

However, negotiations over Hamas disarmament remain deadlocked.

Hamas has meanwhile reactivated its police force and appears to be reasserting its authority within Gaza.

The war began after a Hamas-led assault on southern Israel on 7 October 2023 that killed about 1,200 people and saw 251 taken hostage.

Israel responded with a military campaign in Gaza that has killed more than 72,744 people, according to the Hamas-run health ministry. The ministry says 857 of those deaths occurred after the ceasefire came into force.

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Adapted by ASEAN Now. Source 16 May 2026