JERUSALEM: Hamas’ armed wing chief Ezzedine Al-Haddad, described by Israel as an architect of the Oct 7 assault, was killed in an Israeli strike in Gaza the day gone by, the navy and Hamas confirmed on Saturday (Might 16).
Since Hamas’ Oct 7, 2023 assault on Israel, the Israeli navy and intelligence companies have waged an intensive marketing campaign focusing on the group’s senior political leaders and militant commanders in Gaza and throughout the area.
On Friday, the navy stated it had carried out an airstrike in Gaza focusing on Haddad, and confirmed his loss of life on Saturday.
“The IDF and the ISA announce that yesterday, in a exact strike within the space of the Metropolis of Gaza, the terrorist Ezzedine Al-Haddad was eradicated,” the navy stated, referring to itself and the Shin Wager home safety company.
Two Hamas officers additionally informed AFP that Haddad had been killed in an Israeli strike.
“Senior commander … Ezzedine Al-Haddad was assassinated in an Israeli strike focusing on a residential residence and a civilian automobile in Gaza Metropolis yesterday,” one senior Hamas official stated.
A member of Hamas’ armed wing individually confirmed his loss of life.
Haddad was killed alongside along with his spouse and a daughter, in accordance with one other Hamas supply.
AFP pictures confirmed mourners carrying the physique of Haddad, wrapped in a Hamas flag, on a stretcher from the ruins of a constructing.
The navy stated Haddad was “one of many final senior commanders in Hamas’ navy wing who directed the planning and execution of the October seventh bloodbath”.
Haddad was additionally concerned in holding Israeli hostages in the course of the conflict, it added.
“Haddad managed Hamas’ hostage captivity system and surrounded himself with hostages in an try to forestall his elimination,” it stated.
“SIGNIFICANT ACHIEVEMENT”
Israel’s navy chief Lieutenant Colonel Eyal Zamir referred to as the killing a “important operational achievement”.
“In each dialog I held with the hostages who returned, the title of the arch-terrorist Ezzedine Al-Haddad … got here up many times,” Zamir stated in a separate assertion.
“At this time, we succeeded in eliminating him. The IDF will proceed to pursue our enemies, strike them, and maintain accountable everybody who took half within the October seventh bloodbath.”
