Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz announced in a joint statement on Friday evening that Izz ad-Din al-Haddad, a top military leader of Hamas, was targeted in Israeli strikes within Gaza.
While the IDF has not yet issued official confirmation, senior defense sources told Walla that initial indications suggest the assassination attempt was successful.
Intelligence and Execution
The strike was carried out by the Air Force following years of military intelligence collection. The target’s location was identified through intelligence provided by the IDF’s Military Intelligence Directorate and Southern Command. According to Israeli media, government officials granted approval for the IDF to proceed with the attack approximately 10 days before it took place.
Significance of the Target
Haddad was the highest-ranking military commander of Hamas and the final remaining leader of the October 7 massacre within the Gaza Strip. Having been a member of the organization’s military wing since its founding in 1987, he was described by Netanyahu and Katz as being responsible for the “murder, kidnapping, and harming of thousands of Israeli citizens and IDF soldiers.”
The joint statement further alleged that Haddad refused to implement a demilitarization of the Gaza Strip and the disarmament of Hamas under an agreement led by US President Trump.
Impact on Hostages
Haddad served as the captor for former Gaza hostages Emily Damari and Liri Albag. Reports indicate that throughout the war, Haddad moved between various hiding places and surrounded himself with hostages in an attempt to evade IDF strikes. Under his command, Hamas reportedly abused and starved hostages to ensure the survival of the organization and his own personal security.
Following the operation, Liri Albag, who was personally notified by Minister Katz, wrote on an Instagram story: “Every dog gets its day, and you are a piece of a dog.”
Emily Damari also responded to the news, stating, “It’s official, Raz al-Din al-Haddad has been eliminated! Thanks to all the security forces and those involved in the operation.” She added that the event provides “a very important closure for many people,” noting that Haddad planned her kidnapping and the October 7 attacks.
Strategic Implications and Next Steps
The Israeli government framed the strike as part of a broader strategy. “The IDF and Shin Bet are well implementing the government’s policy of not containing threats and defeating our enemies ahead of time,” the joint statement read.
Looking forward, the Israeli leadership indicated that they will continue to act “forcefully and decisively” against any individuals who participated in the October 7 massacre. This suggests that the IDF may continue to prioritize the location and elimination of remaining participants, with the joint statement warning, “Sooner or later, Israel will catch up with you.”
