Israel Strikes Gaza Targeting Hamas Commander

Israel carried out strikes in Gaza targeting Hamas' top military commander, Izz al-Din al-Haddad, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz said in a joint statement. It marked the first attack on a senior official of the militant group since a US-backed deal in October intended to halt fighting in the Palestinian enclave.

The strikes on Friday killed at least seven people and wounded more than 50 others, who were taken to Al-Shifa Hospital, Gaza emergency services said. Neither side confirmed whether the Hamas leader was killed or wounded in the attack.

In a joint statement on Friday, Netanyahu and Katz said al-Haddad was among the “architects” of the Hamas-led October 7, 2023 attack and accused him of involvement in holding hostages taken during the assault. They also accused him of refusing to implement a plan promoted by US President Donald Trump for Hamas to disarm and for Gaza to be demilitarized.

Since the first phase of the ceasefire took effect last year, Israel has continued to carry out strikes in Gaza, much of which has been reduced to rubble. Under the truce, Israeli forces retained control of a largely depopulated zone covering more than half the enclave, while Hamas remained in control of the remaining coastal strip. Both sides have accused each other of violating the truce, and talks on advancing Trump’s post-war plan for Gaza remain deadlocked.

Izz al-Din al-Haddad took over the group’s military wing last year after Israeli forces killed Muhammad Sinwar, brother of Yahya Sinwar, one of the architects of October 7 attack.

Since Israel launched its military campaign in the territory, more than 72,000 people have been killed and over 172,000 wounded over the past three years, according to the Palestinian health authorities.

Israel’s war against Hamas and its siege of Gaza have drawn growing international criticism, including threats of sanctions. Western support for Israel has also eroded amid rising civilian casualties and a worsening humanitarian crisis in the enclave.