Hamas Military Chief Azedin al-Haddad Killed in Israeli Strike in Gaza

Kathmandu. The Israeli army has confirmed the death of Hamas armed wing chief Azedin al-Haddad in an Israeli attack in Gaza on Friday.

Israel has stated that al-Haddad was the mastermind of the October 7, 2023 attack.

The Palestinian armed Islamic militant group (Hamas) also confirmed on Saturday that al-Haddad was killed in an Israeli attack.

Since Hamas attacked Israel on October 7, 2023, the Israeli army and intelligence services have launched a widespread campaign targeting senior political leaders and combat commanders of the group in Gaza and the region.

On Friday, the army carried out an airstrike targeting al-Haddad in Gaza, and confirmed his death on Saturday.

The army, referring to itself and the Shin Bet domestic security agency, said, "Al-Haddad, chief of Hamas's armed wing, was killed in a precise strike carried out by the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) and the Israeli Security Agency (ISA) in the urban area of Gaza on Friday."

Two Hamas officials also confirmed that Haddad was killed in an Israeli attack. "A senior Hamas official (senior commander) said, 'Azedin al-Haddad was martyred in an Israeli attack targeting a residential apartment and a civilian vehicle in Gaza City.'"

Another member of Hamas's armed wing confirmed his death. According to sources close to Hamas, Haddad was killed in an Israeli attack along with his wife and a daughter.

AFP photos show mourners carrying Haddad's body, wrapped in a Hamas flag, on a stretcher from the rubble of a building.

The Israeli army said Haddad, who directed the planning and execution of the October 7 massacre, was one of the last senior commanders of Hamas's military wing.

It is also said that Haddad was involved in hiding and moving Israeli hostages during the war.

"Haddad managed Hamas's hostage system and repeatedly managed to save his life by using hostages as shields," the statement said.

Israel's Chief of Staff Lieutenant Colonel Eyal Zamir called the operation a "significant achievement."

"Al-Haddad's name came up repeatedly in every conversation I had with the returned hostages," Zamir said.

He added, "Today we succeeded in eliminating Al-Haddad. The IDF will continue its work of pursuing enemies, attacking them, and holding accountable all those who participated in the October 7 massacre."

Israel has claimed responsibility for the deaths of several Hamas leaders during the war, including Yahya Sinwar, considered the main planner of the October 7 attack.