The Israeli military announced Saturday that it killed Ezzedine Al-Haddad, the commander of the Qassam Brigades, in an airstrike [1, 2].
The elimination of the leader of Hamas' military wing represents a significant blow to the group's operational command structure within the Gaza Strip. Such strikes are part of a broader Israeli strategy to dismantle the leadership of the organization.
According to the Israeli military spokesperson, the operation took place on Friday, May 15, 2026 [1]. The strike targeted Al-Haddad in Gaza City, the largest urban center in the territory [1, 2].
A source within Hamas confirmed the death to Al Jazeera, saying that the commander died during the Israeli raid on Friday evening [2]. The official announcement from the Israeli Defense Forces followed the operation on Saturday morning [1].
Al-Haddad served as the head of the Qassam Brigades, which is the armed wing of Hamas. The Israeli military said the strike was part of an ongoing campaign targeting the military leadership of the movement [1, 2].
Reports indicate that the airstrike was precise and aimed specifically at the commander's location within the city [1, 2]. Neither side has provided further details regarding the specific intelligence that led to the operation, or whether other high-ranking officials were present at the scene.
“The Israeli military announced Saturday that it killed Ezzedine Al-Haddad”
The death of a top-tier military commander like Al-Haddad disrupts the chain of command for Hamas' armed wing. By targeting the head of the Qassam Brigades, Israel seeks to degrade the group's ability to coordinate attacks and manage its remaining fighter networks in Gaza City.
