Israeli Airstrike Kills Hamas Military Leader Izz al-Din al-Haddad

Izz al-Din al-Haddad, a senior commander of Hamas' military wing and a key planner of the October 7, 2023 attacks on Israel, was killed in an Israeli airstrike in Gaza City on May 15, 2026.

Al-Haddad, who had assumed leadership of Hamas' military operations following the death of his predecessor, Mohammed Sinwar, was targeted in a "precise strike" according to the Israel Defense Forces (IDF).

The IDF stated that al-Haddad was involved in the captivity of numerous Israeli hostages during the ongoing conflict and had used them as human shields to prevent his elimination.

His family confirmed his death, along with six others, to the Associated Press.

Al-Haddad had been a member of Hamas since its early days in the 1980s and served on its highest military council.

His funeral was held in Gaza City on May 16, 2026, with his body wrapped in Hamas and Palestinian flags.

The October 7, 2023 attacks, which al-Haddad helped plan, resulted in approximately 1,200 Israeli deaths and over 250 hostages being taken to Gaza.

In response, Israel's military operations have led to over 72,700 Palestinian deaths, according to Gaza's Health Ministry.

Despite a ceasefire agreement reached in October 2023, violence has persisted, with more than 850 deaths reported since the ceasefire, as per the Gaza Health Ministry.

Israeli military chief Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir emphasized the significance of al-Haddad's death, stating that the military will continue to "hold accountable everyone who took part" in the 2023 Hamas attack.