The Israeli occupation army announced that it had carried out an airstrike, described as violent, targeting a residential home in the center of Gaza City, indicating that the target was the prominent military commander in the Al-Qassam Brigades, Izz al-Din al-Baik. The attack, which occurred on Wednesday evening, resulted in a massacre that killed 10 martyrs, including 4 children, in addition to injuring more than 20 citizens with varying degrees of wounds.
The occupation army's statement claimed that the airstrike did not target al-Baik alone, but also included Imad Aslim, who holds the position of deputy commander of the Gaza Brigade and commander of the Al-Zaytoun Battalion. This operation comes as part of the occupation's continuous attempts to undermine the leadership structure of the Palestinian resistance in areas witnessing intense military operations.
Izz al-Din al-Baik, born in 1981, is considered one of the most important military pillars of the Al-Qassam Brigades in the northern Gaza Strip, having risen through the leadership ranks since joining the movement in early 2000. Al-Baik grew up in a resistance environment at Al-Awda Mosque in Jabalia refugee camp, and in his early days accompanied historical leaders such as Abu Anas Al-Ghandour and Suhail Ziyada.
Al-Baik's name prominently emerged as the commander of the first special unit in the Northern Brigade, where he oversaw the implementation of qualitative operations and 'commando' missions that disrupted the occupation's calculations on the ground. He played a pivotal role in confronting the widespread Israeli attack on northern Gaza in 2004, which was then known as the Israeli 'Days of Regret' operation and was met by the resistance with 'Days of Rage'.
During his long career, Al-Baik commanded the 'Martyr Imad Aql Battalion' for a full decade, which is the battalion responsible for securing the western front of Jabalia camp. He actively participated in managing combat operations during the wars of 2008 and 2012, where he demonstrated superior capabilities in defensive planning and managing ambushes against invading forces.
Al-Baik later moved to serve as the military intelligence officer in the Northern Brigade, a position that enabled him to gather accurate information about the movements of the occupation army and its vital targets. Sources reported that Al-Baik was one of the main planners of the intelligence and operational aspects of the October 7, 2023 attack, making him a constant target for Israeli security agencies.
The occupation authorities accuse Commander Al-Baik of being behind the operation to target a military jeep with a 'Kornet' guided missile east of Gaza during the 'Sword's Edge' events. That operation came in response to the infiltration of the 'Sayeret Matkal' special unit into Khan Yunis, and at the time led to a wide military escalation that revealed the development of the resistance's missile capabilities.
Following the martyrdom of Commander Ahmed Al-Ghandour in November 2023, Al-Baik officially assumed command of the Northern Brigade, leading defensive operations in the areas of Beit Hanoun, Beit Lahia, and Jabalia camp. Under his leadership, Al-Qassam fighters succeeded in inflicting heavy losses on the occupation forces, which hindered what is known as the 'Generals' Plan' aimed at displacing the residents of the north.
Circles close to the resistance describe Izz al-Din al-Baik as the field engineer who thwarted the recent Israeli plans to control the northern sector. Despite the intensity of fire and military pressures, Al-Baik continued to manage the battle from the field until the moment the house he was in was targeted, leaving behind a long military legacy within the Al-Qassam Brigades.
Hamas describes Commander Izz al-Din al-Baik as the 'Generals' Plan Breaker', in reference to his success in thwarting plans for displacement and control over the northern sector.
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Who is Izz al-Din al-Baik? The 'Generals' Plan Breaker' whom the occupation announced it was targeting in Gaza