Israel says it has killed Hamas commander Izz ad-Din al-Haddad, who it described as “one of the architects of the October 7 massacre”, in an air strike on Gaza City.
Israel has claimed it killed senior Hamas commander Izz ad-Din al-Haddad in a devastating air strike on Gaza City, describing him as “one of the architects” behind the deadly October 7 attacks that triggered the ongoing war in Gaza.
In a joint statement, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defence Minister Yisrael Katz said Haddad had been directly involved in attacks that left thousands of Israelis dead, injured or kidnapped.
The Israeli leaders accused the Hamas commander of orchestrating violence against both civilians and members of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF).
“Haddad was responsible for the murder, kidnapping and injury of thousands of Israeli civilians and IDF soldiers,” the statement read.
The strike reportedly targeted a residential building known locally as Al-Mu’taz in central Gaza City. Eyewitnesses said three missiles struck the apartment block almost simultaneously from different directions, triggering a massive explosion and fire.
Residents described scenes of panic and destruction as rescue teams rushed to the area amid fears civilians remained trapped beneath the rubble.
One eyewitness told reporters that emergency crews managed to pull several injured people and at least one body from the wreckage despite intense flames and collapsing debris.
According to local witnesses, a second strike later targeted a vehicle seen fleeing the area, killing three people.
Sources claimed the car may have been transporting Haddad after he was critically wounded in the initial attack.
Witnesses also alleged that armed Hamas members dressed in civilian clothing evacuated a severely injured individual through a side entrance before placing him inside the vehicle moments before it was struck around 1.5 kilometres away.
A senior Israeli security official later said preliminary intelligence indicated Haddad had been “successfully targeted”.
However, Hamas has neither confirmed nor denied reports of the commander’s death.
The latest strike comes despite an ongoing ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas that officially came into effect on October 10.
While hostilities have reduced compared to the height of the conflict, Israeli forces have continued carrying out targeted strikes across Gaza, arguing they retain the right to attack Hamas operatives who refuse to disarm.
Hamas, meanwhile, has repeatedly accused Israel of violating the ceasefire and continuing attacks that endanger civilians.
The renewed violence also threatens already fragile international peace efforts led by the United States.
Negotiations surrounding the second phase of the ceasefire agreement — which includes the demilitarisation and reconstruction of Gaza under a transitional administration — have reportedly stalled amid disagreements over Hamas disarmament.
Israeli officials accused Haddad of rejecting a US-backed proposal championed by Donald Trump aimed at dismantling Hamas’ military infrastructure in Gaza.
“We will continue to act forcefully and decisively against anyone who took part in the October 7 massacre,” Netanyahu and Katz said.
The war began after Hamas-led fighters launched a surprise assault on southern Israel on October 7, 2023, killing around 1,200 people and taking 251 hostages, according to Israeli authorities.
Israel responded with a large-scale military campaign across Gaza that, according to the Hamas-run health ministry, has killed more than 72,000 people since the conflict began.
The ministry claims hundreds have also died since the ceasefire took effect, further fuelling tensions over whether the truce can survive.
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