Israeli air raid in Gaza: possible killing of Hamas commander Izz al-Din Haddad

Il rogo

Nel quartiere di Rimal a Gaza City

Un incendio divampa in un appartamento residenziale a seguito dei bombardamenti israeliani, secondo quanto riferito dal Ministero della Salute, nella città di Gaza il 15 maggio 2026. REUTERS/Dawoud Abu Alkas

"Haddad was responsible for the murder, kidnapping and wounding of thousands of Israeli civilians and Israel Defence Forces (IDF) soldiers. He has held our civilians hostage in brutal captivity, directed terrorist operations against our forces, and refused to implement the agreement led by US President Trump to dismantle Hamas weapons and demilitarise the Gaza Strip," they state.

"The IDF and the Shin Bet (Israeli intelligence services. ndr) are fully implementing the government's policy of not containing threats and preemptively neutralising our enemies," the statement continued.

"This is a clear message to all the murderers who try to take our lives: sooner or later, Israel will catch up with you," they add.

At least eight people died in the attack launched today by the Israeli Defence Forces (IDF). Among them were three women and a child. Thirty were wounded. Al Jazeera writes this, citing a source inside the ambulance service.

A senior Israeli security official stated that the attack had been approved by the political leadership about a week and a half ago.
According to the source, Haddad would be placed under 'continuous' surveillance and the raid would be launched 'because of an operational opportunity with a high probability of successful elimination'.

Israeli military authorities reported that the Hamas leader was allegedly targeted by the air force shortly after intelligence officers from the Southern Command and the Military Intelligence Directorate obtained information on his location.

According to a military source, during the war Haddad frequently changed hiding places and surrounded himself with Israeli hostages, including female security guards kidnapped from the Nahal Oz base, in an attempt to deter Israeli attacks.

Israel considers Haddad the highest-ranking Hamas military commander still in the Gaza Strip and the group's last remaining top leader after the 7 October offensive.