Gaza city: The Israeli army has confirmed the death of Isseddin al-Hamadad, a senior Hamas armed commander, in an airstrike conducted in the Gaza Strip. Al-Hamadad was held responsible by Israel for the attacks that took place on October 7, 2023.
According to Thai News Agency, the Israeli military, along with Hamas, verified that the airstrike took place in Gaza City on Friday, May 15, targeting Al-Haddad. The operation was part of a broader strategy by Israeli forces to locate and neutralize key figures within Hamas following the group's offensive against Israel. The confirmed death of Al-Haddad was announced on Saturday, May 16, after the airstrike on a residential building and vehicles in the Al-Rimal neighborhood.
Hamas sources and local medical officials reported that Al-Haddad's wife and 19-year-old daughter were among the casualties, along with seven other individuals. The attack also resulted in injuries to more than 50 people. In a joint statement, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz identified Al-Haddad as a key planner of the October 2023 attacks and accused him of violating the ceasefire agreement by attempting to rebuild military infrastructure in Gaza.
Al-Haddad, known as "The Ghost," had a long history within Hamas, having survived multiple assassination attempts. He had been involved with the organization since the 1980s, eventually rising to command the Al-Qassam Brigades in Gaza. His death marks the highest-ranking Hamas official eliminated since the ceasefire was brokered by the United States last October.