The leader of Hamas’ armed wing, reportedly involved in the October 7 attack, was killed in Gaza, announced the Israeli army and the Palestinian Islamist movement on Saturday, following an airstrike targeting him.
He was “assassinated in an Israeli strike on a residential apartment and a civilian vehicle yesterday [Friday] in Gaza,” a Hamas official stated.
Since October 7, 2023, Israel has claimed responsibility for the killings of several top Hamas officials, including Yahya Sinouar, Gaza chief, who was killed on October 16, 2024. Ezzedine al-Haddad, a long-time target of the army, was described as “the last senior leader of Hamas still present in Gaza to have participated in organizing the massacre,” according to an Israeli military official.
Images released by Israel showed the building where Ezzedine al-Haddad was allegedly killed.
A “mastermind” of the October 7 attack, Ezzedine al-Haddad was targeted by the Defense ministry, resulting in his death along with his wife and daughter, according to another Hamas source.
Their funeral was held Saturday morning in Gaza, with mourners surrounding Al-Haddad’s coffin draped in a Hamas flag. Israeli army chief Eyal Zamir commented on the operation as a “major operational success,” vowing to continue targeting their enemies and holding them accountable for the October 7 incident.
Al-Haddad, accused by the Defense ministry of being responsible for various atrocities against Israeli civilians and soldiers, have led to brutal captivity conditions for hostages.
The Brigades Ezzedine al-Qassam, Hamas’ armed wing, carried out the attack on October 7, 2023, resulting in numerous casualties. Israel has been accused of destroying the majority of Gaza’s infrastructure since then.
A ceasefire was declared on October 10, 2025, in the Palestinian territory shared between Hamas and the Israeli army.
Ezzedine al-Haddad, born in 1970, took command of Hamas’ armed wing in May 2025, after his predecessor was killed. He survived six assassination attempts by Israel, overseeing hostage exchanges and serving in various security roles for Hamas.
In addition to Yahya Sinouar, other leaders of Hamas and Hezbollah have been targeted by Israeli strikes.
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