The Israeli military on Saturday said it had killed Ezzedine Al-Haddad, the head of Hamas’ armed wing, in an airstrike in Gaza a day earlier.
“The IDF and the ISA announce that yesterday, in a precise strike in the area of the City of Gaza, the terrorist Ezzedine Al-Haddad was eliminated,” the military said, referring to itself and the Shin Bet domestic security agency.
Two Hamas officials also confirmed to AFP that Haddad died after an Israeli strike hit a residential apartment and a civilian vehicle in Gaza City on Friday.
According to the Israeli military, Haddad was deeply involved in Hamas operations and played a key role in the group’s military leadership.
“The military said Haddad was “one of the last senior commanders in Hamas’s military wing who directed the planning and execution of the October 7th massacre”.”
It further alleged his involvement in hostage operations during the ongoing conflict.
“Throughout the war, Haddad was involved in the holding of many Israeli hostages in Hamas captivity,” the military said.
It added that he had been central to Hamas’ hostage management system and had deliberately positioned himself near captives to make targeting him more difficult.
“Haddad managed Hamas’s hostage captivity system and surrounded himself with hostages in an attempt to prevent his elimination.”
