May 16, Kathmandu - Israeli forces confirmed the death of Izz al-Din al-Haddad, the head of Hamas' armed wing, during an Israeli airstrike in Gaza on Friday. Israeli officials identified al-Haddad as the mastermind behind the October 7, 2023 attack on Israel.

Palestinian Islamic militant group Hamas also confirmed al-Haddad's death on Saturday. Following their attack on Israel on October 7, Israeli troops and intelligence agencies launched widespread operations targeting senior Hamas political leaders and military commanders in Gaza and surrounding areas.

The Israeli military stated that al-Haddad was targeted in an accurate airstrike in Gaza City on Friday, and his death was confirmed the following day. A military spokesperson noted, "The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) and the Israeli Security Agency (ISA) conducted a precise attack in Gaza City that resulted in the death of Hamas' chief of the armed wing, Izz al-Din al-Haddad."

Two Hamas officials also verified his death. A senior Hamas officer told Reuters, "In an attack on a residential apartment and a civilian vehicle in Gaza City, Izz al-Din al-Haddad was martyred."

Sources close to Hamas revealed that al-Haddad, along with his wife and daughter, was killed in the Israeli strike. Photos from AFP showed grieving individuals carrying al-Haddad’s body wrapped in Hamas flags from the ruins of a building.

Israeli forces indicated that al-Haddad was one of the last senior commanders of Hamas' military wing and played a key role in planning and executing the October 7 massacre. He was also involved in managing Hamas' hostage system, hiding Israeli captives and relocating them to safer locations to evade Israeli raids. According to military sources, al-Haddad was instrumental in organizing and maintaining Hamas' hostage operations, often using hostages as shields to protect himself.

Israeli Defense Forces Chief Lieutenant Colonel Iyal Jamir called the operation an "important achievement." "Every time I spoke with the captives, al-Haddad’s name repeatedly came up," Jamir stated. "Today, we have succeeded in removing al-Haddad. The IDF will continue to pursue our enemies, attack them, and hold all responsible for the October 7 massacre accountable."

Israel has claimed responsibility for the operation, stating that it targeted several Hamas leaders, including Yahiya Sinwar, considered key planners of the October 7 attack, and many others involved in the conflict.