Israel strikes Hamas commander Izz ad-Din al-Haddad in Gaza
Israel struck Hamas military leader Izz ad-Din al-Haddad in Gaza on Friday evening, targeting the man described as Hamas’s highest-ranking military commander in the Strip. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz said in a joint statement that Haddad was targeted, while senior defense sources said initial indications suggested the assassination attempt was successful.
Netanyahu and Katz target Haddad
The strike came after the Air Force received intelligence from the IDF’s Southern Command and Military Intelligence Directorate on Haddad’s location, a position identified after years of military intelligence collection. Government officials approved the attack about 10 days before it was carried out. The Air Force also carried out a deception operation approved by Brig.-Gen. Omer Tischler before the strike.
Haddad was described as the last leader of the October 7 massacre remaining in the Gaza Strip. He had been a member of Hamas’s military wing since its founding in 1987, and he was described as the former captor of Gaza hostages Liri Albag and Emily Damari.
Hamas hostage network in Gaza
Netanyahu and Katz said Haddad was responsible for the murder, kidnapping, and harming of thousands of Israeli citizens and IDF soldiers, and that he held hostages captive with severe cruelty. The joint statement said Haddad launched terrorist acts against Israeli forces and refused to implement the agreement led by US President Trump to disarm Hamas and demilitarize the Gaza Strip.
The statement also said the IDF and Shin Bet were implementing the government’s policy of not containing threats and defeating enemies ahead of time. Head of IDF Operations Maj.-Gen. Itzik Cohen instructed the military to be ready on land, at sea, and in the air following the strike.
Liri Albag and Emily Damari
After being notified of the operation by Katz, Liri Albag wrote on Instagram, “Every dog gets its day, and you are a piece of a dog,” while Emily Damari responded after the strike, “It’s official, Raz al-Din al-Haddad has been eliminated! Thanks to all the security forces and those involved in the operation.” Damari also wrote, “Shabbat Shalom to all Israel. This is a very important closure for many people.”
Damari added, “He planned October 7, murdered my friends and many other dear people, he planned my kidnapping and also held me in Hamas tunnels. With God’s help, we will reach every one of these terrorist scum,” placing her own captivity at the center of the strike’s immediate aftermath.
IDF and Shin Bet next steps
No official confirmation had been received from the IDF, leaving the military’s next public statement as the immediate point of focus after a strike aimed at Hamas’s top commander in Gaza. The combination of the preapproved operation, the deception plan, and the readiness order on land, at sea, and in the air points to a wider military posture that was already set in motion before Friday evening’s attack.
