Israel says Hamas military chief behind Oct. 7 attacks killed in Gaza strike

Israel has claimed that it killed senior Hamas military commander Izz al-Din al-Haddad in a strike carried out in Gaza on Friday, describing him as one of the main planners behind the October 7 attacks on Israel.

According to the Israeli military, al-Haddad was among the last top-ranking leaders in Hamas’ armed wing and had overseen parts of the planning and execution of the 2023 assault that left around 1,200 people dead and saw more than 250 hostages taken into Gaza.

The development comes at a delicate moment in the Israel-Hamas ceasefire process, which has remained unstable despite being in place since October.

Negotiations over sensitive issues, including Hamas’ disarmament, continue to face obstacles.

Gaza health authorities say Israeli strikes and gunfire have continued almost daily during the truce, with hundreds reportedly killed since the agreement took effect.

Israel said al-Haddad took over a senior leadership role after the killing of Mohammed Sinwar and accused him of using Israeli hostages as protection during the war.

Family members confirmed that al-Haddad was killed in the strike along with six others, including his wife and daughter. His two sons had reportedly died earlier during the conflict.

Funeral prayers were held in Gaza City on Saturday, where mourners carried his body wrapped in Hamas and Palestinian flags.

Al-Haddad had reportedly been associated with Hamas since the 1980s and was considered part of the group’s top military leadership.

Israeli military officials described the operation as a major success and vowed to continue targeting Hamas figures.

Meanwhile, violence also intensified in the occupied West Bank. Palestinian authorities said Israeli troops shot dead a 34-year-old man in Jenin refugee camp on Saturday.

Israel’s military said soldiers had opened fire after the man allegedly ignored warning shots while attempting to enter a restricted area.

In another incident earlier this week, a 15-year-old Palestinian boy was killed near Nablus after Israeli forces said youths had thrown stones at vehicles.

Tensions further rose after Palestinian officials accused Israeli settlers of torching a mosque and several vehicles in a village near Ramallah.

Authorities said Hebrew graffiti was found at the site. Israeli police and military said an investigation was underway and condemned attacks on religious places.