Israel's military says Hamas top commander linked to Oct 7 attack killed in Gaza

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said Izz al-Din al-Haddad was one of the few remaining key Hamas figures who were involved in the planning of the October 7 massacre. He had assumed the role of Hamas's military wing chief following Mohammad Sinwar's assassination by Israeli forces in May 2025.

In Short

• Haddad led Hamas military after Sinwar's assassination in 2025
• He was involved in the planning of the October 7 massacre: IDF
• Joint funeral held for Haddad, his wife, and 19-year-old daughter

Israel's military on Saturday said it had killed a key commander of Palestinian militant group Hamas in an air strike on Gaza the previous day. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said Izz al-Din al-Haddad was one of the few remaining key Hamas figures who were involved in the planning of the October 7 massacre.

He had assumed the role of Hamas's military wing chief following Mohammad Sinwar's assassination by Israeli forces in May 2025, the Israeli military said. An unidentified Hamas official, cited by news agency Reuters, confirmed Haddad's killing in the Israeli airstrike.

The outfit, however, has not publicly announced the death. Haddad is now the most senior Hamas official killed by Israeli forces since an October US-backed ceasefire agreement that was meant to halt fighting between Israel and Hamas.

A joint funeral was held for him, his wife and 19-year-old daughter at Al Aqsa Martyrs mosque in central Gaza on Saturday. It was not immediately clear how they died.

Israel carried out at least two attacks on Gaza on Friday. Seven Palestinians, including three women and a child, were killed in the aerial strikes, per local medics.

In a joint statement with his defence minister on Friday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced the military had carried out an air strike targeting Haddad, without saying if he had been killed.

Netanyahu and Defence Minister Israel Katz said Haddad was an architect of the October 7, 2023 attacks launched by Hamas militants that precipitated Israel's ongoing assault on Gaza.

He "was responsible for the murder, abduction, and harm inflicted on thousands of Israeli civilians (and) soldiers," they said.

In its announcement of Haddad's elimination, the IDF said that he "was involved in the holding of many Israeli hostages in Hamas captivity" throughout the Israel-Hamas war.

It added that he "managed Hamas’ hostage captivity system by surrounding himself with hostages in an attempt to prevent his elimination."

Nicknamed 'the Ghost', Haddad had survived multiple assassination attempts by Israel, according to Hamas sources cited by Reuters.

The IDF says that he was one of Hamas' longest-serving commanders, rising through the ranks from the group's early establishment in the 1980s to hold several senior positions.

Israel and Hamas remain at an impasse in indirect negotiations to advance US President Donald Trump's post-war plan for Gaza that is meant to end more than two years of fighting.

The Israeli military has escalated its attacks in Gaza in recent weeks, since halting its joint bombing with the US in Iran. Israel claims that Hamas fighters are tightening their grip again on the ruined Palestinian territory.

- Ends
(With inputs from Reuters)