Hamas military leader Izz ad-Din al-Haddad was killed in an Israeli strike on Friday in the Gaza Strip, the IDF confirmed on Saturday, following an earlier Reuters report that Hamas had confirmed his death.
In a statement released on Saturday, IDF Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Eyal Zamir described the operation as a “significant operational achievement.”
“In every conversation I held with the hostages who returned, the name of the arch-terrorist Izz al-Din al-Haddad, one of the chief perpetrators of the October 7 massacre and the head of Hamas’ military wing, came up again and again,” said Zamir. “Today, we succeeded in eliminating him.
The IDF will continue to pursue our enemies, strike them, and hold accountable everyone who took part in the October 7 massacre,” added Zamir. “We will not relent until we reach them all – this is our duty to all those who returned and to all citizens of the State of Israel.”
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz said in a joint statement on Friday evening that Haddad had been targeted. The Air Force carried out the strike after receiving intelligence from the IDF’s Southern Command and Military Intelligence Directorate on Haddad’s location, which had been identified after years of military intelligence collection. Approval was given to the IDF by government officials about 10 days prior to the attack, according to Israeli media.
IDF confirms death of Hamas military chief Izz ad-Din al-Haddad, May 16, 2026. (credit: IDF SPOKESPERSON’S UNIT)
Prior to the attack, the Air Force carried out a “deception operation” approved by Brig.-Gen. Omer Tischler. The operation was intended to prevent Hamas from detecting unusual activity in the western Negev and Gazan airspace while assuring that Hamas’s military wing, as well as Haddad’s inner circle, remained on low alert.
Head of IDF Operations Maj.-Gen. Itzik Cohen instructed the military to be ready on land, at sea, and in the air following the strike.
Haddad captor of former Gaza hostages
Haddad is the highest-ranking military commander of Hamas and the last leader of the October 7 massacre remaining in the Gaza Strip. He has been a member of the terror group’s military wing since its founding in 1987.
Haddad was also the former Gaza hostage Liri Albag and Emily Damari’s captor.
“Every dog gets its day, and you are a piece of a dog,” wrote Albag on an Instagram story, who was personally notified of the operation by Katz.
Damari also spoke out about the attack, saying, “It’s official, Raz al-Din al-Haddad has been eliminated! Thanks to all the security forces and those involved in the operation.”
“Shabbat Shalom to all Israel. This is a very important closure for many people. He planned October 7, murdered my friends and many other dear people, he planned my kidnapping and also held me in Hamas tunnels. With God’s help, we will reach every one of these terrorist scum,” she continued.
‘Israel will catch up with you’
“Haddad was responsible for the murder, kidnapping, and harming of thousands of Israeli citizens and IDF soldiers,” said Katz and Netanyahu’s joint statement.
“He held our hostages captive with severe cruelty, launched terrorist acts against our forces, and refused to implement the agreement led by US President Trump to disarm Hamas and demilitarize the Gaza Strip. The IDF and Shin Bet are well implementing the government’s policy of not containing threats and defeating our enemies ahead of time,” it continued.
“We will continue to act forcefully and decisively against anyone who took part in the October 7 massacre. This is a clear message to all the murderers who seek our lives: Sooner or later, Israel will catch up with you.”
Throughout the war with Gaza, Haddad moved between numerous hiding places, was heavily involved in the hostage network in the Strip, and surrounded himself with hostages in an attempt to avoid strikes from the IDF.
Under his command, Hamas murdered, starved, and abused hostages in order to protect his personal security and ensure the survival of the terror organization.
Reuters contributed to this report.