- Hamas commander involved in October 7 planning eliminated.
- Haddad oversaw rebuilding Hamas’s military capabilities.
Israel on Saturday claimed that Hamas military wing chief Izz al-Din al-Haddad and one of the last senior commanders involved in the planning of the October 7 massacre has been eliminated.
According to Israeli authorities, Haddad oversaw efforts to rebuild Hamas’ operational capabilities and was involved in planning multiple attacks targeting Israeli civilians and Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) personnel.
During the war, he was also allegedly connected to the detention of several Israeli hostages held by Hamas and is accused of managing parts of the group’s hostage system, reportedly surrounding himself with captives effort to deter targeted strikes against him.
🔴ELIMINATED: Izz al-Din al-Haddad, Head of Hamas’ military wing and one of the last senior commanders involved in the planning of the October 7 massacre.
Following the elimination of Mohammed Sinwar, Haddad assumed his role and worked to rebuild Hamas’ capabilities and planned… pic.twitter.com/6TW7Wewt7m
— Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) May 16, 2026
Who Was Haddad?
He was one of the members of the Hamas group who led plans of the infiltration of IDF outposts and communities during the October 7th massacre. He Assumed his role following the elimination of Mohammed Sinwar, and recently operated to rehabilitate Hamas’ military wing capabilities.
He was one of the most veteran Hamas commanders, joined Hamas during its early establishment and maintained close ties with Hamas leadership. He was heavily involved in Hamas’ hostage captivity system in the Gaza Strip and surrounded himself with hostages, including the Nahal Oz female field observers, to avoid IDF strikes.
Haddad Surrounded Himself With Hostages
Two Hamas officials also confirmed to AFP that Izz al-Din al-Haddad was killed in an Israeli strike that targeted a residential apartment and a civilian vehicle in Gaza City on Friday.
“Haddad managed Hamas’s hostage captivity system and surrounded himself with hostages in an attempt to prevent his elimination,” the Israeli Defense Forces added.
