Senior Hamas Military Leader Reportedly Killed After Israeli Airstrike in Gaza

A senior Hamas official says military commander Izz al-Din al-Haddad has died following an Israeli airstrike in Gaza, marking one of the most significant losses for Hamas leadership since the war began.

By Danielle Harper Coleman

A senior official of Hamas has confirmed that the group’s military chief in Gaza, Izz al-Din al-Haddad, has died following an Israeli airstrike, a day after Israel announced it had specifically targeted him.

The reported death of Haddad marks one of the most significant blows to Hamas leadership since the start of the war in Gaza and makes him the most senior Hamas figure reportedly killed since the U.S.-backed ceasefire agreement reached in October.

Witnesses in Gaza City said mosques across parts of the territory announced Haddad’s “martyrdom” on Saturday, although Hamas has yet to release an official public statement formally confirming his death.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defence Minister Israel Katz had earlier confirmed that Israeli forces carried out a strike targeting Haddad, describing him as one of the principal architects behind the October 7, 2023 Hamas attacks that triggered the ongoing conflict in Gaza.

According to Israeli authorities, Haddad assumed leadership of Hamas’ armed wing in Gaza after the killing of former commander Mohammad Sinwar in 2025. Israeli officials accused him of overseeing attacks, kidnappings, and military operations against Israeli civilians and soldiers.

The airstrike reportedly targeted an apartment building and a vehicle in Gaza City, with medics confirming that at least seven people, including women and a child, were killed while dozens of others sustained injuries. It remains unclear whether Haddad was among those killed at the strike location.

The latest development comes as indirect negotiations between Israel and Hamas remain stalled despite international pressure to secure a broader post-war agreement for Gaza. Diplomatic efforts backed by the United States have struggled to produce a lasting settlement capable of ending more than two years of conflict.

Analysts say Haddad’s reported death could further complicate already fragile negotiations, particularly as Israel intensifies military operations across Gaza following the end of its joint military campaign with the United States against Iran.

Israeli forces have increased strikes in recent weeks, arguing that Hamas fighters are regrouping and tightening their control in parts of the devastated enclave. Much of Gaza remains heavily damaged, with millions of Palestinians displaced and humanitarian conditions continuing to deteriorate.

The war, which began after Hamas launched the October 2023 attacks on Israel, has led to thousands of deaths, massive destruction across Gaza, and growing international concern over the humanitarian impact of the conflict.

As uncertainty continues surrounding the future of ceasefire negotiations and regional stability, the reported killing of Haddad is expected to intensify tensions and reshape the leadership structure within Hamas’ military operations.