Occupation claims targeting Izz al-Din al-Haddad, commander of the Gaza Brigade in Al-Qassam Brigades

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, accompanied by Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, announced the execution of a military operation targeting Izz al-Din al-Haddad, who holds the position of commander of the Gaza Brigade in Al-Qassam Brigades. This announcement followed a series of intense aerial bombardments carried out by occupation aircraft on various areas in Gaza City, raising anticipation about the fate of the prominent military leader.

Field sources reported that the Israeli shelling focused on the center of Gaza City, where missiles directly targeted a residential building and a civilian car. According to medical sources, these attacks resulted in a number of martyrs and injured individuals who were transported to nearby hospitals, while rescue teams are still working at the targeted sites to recover victims.

For its part, Israeli media outlets quoted security sources as saying that there are initial indications supporting the hypothesis of the success of the assassination operation targeting al-Haddad. Reports clarified that a drone participated in the operation, tracking and targeting a car that left the initial bombing site, reflecting an intelligence determination to eliminate the targeted individual.

Izz al-Din al-Haddad, known as 'Abu Suhaib,' is recognized as one of the pillars of the Al-Qassam Brigades' mini-military council and the military wing of the Hamas movement. Occupation authorities classify him as one of their most dangerous wanted individuals, giving him the title 'Ghost of Al-Qassam' due to his high ability to conceal himself and manage complex military operations away from public view.

Available data indicates that al-Haddad assumed command of the Gaza Brigade succeeding the late commander Bassem Issa, who was assassinated during previous confrontations in 2022. Since then, his name has emerged as an active and influential leader in the organizational structure of the resistance, with Israel accusing him of responsibility for planning and executing a series of qualitative operations against its forces.

Israeli reports claim that al-Haddad played a pivotal role in the military preparations that preceded the events of October 7, 2023, and had a prominent presence in managing field battles during the current war. Security agencies in Tel Aviv consider him the de facto successor in leading the military wing within the Strip after previous leaders were targeted.

In a related context, the Hamas movement described recent Israeli statements regarding the destruction of resistance capabilities and the targeting of its leaders as reflecting a state of disregard for international laws and an attempt to market illusory achievements. Field confrontations continue in the Gaza Strip amidst harsh humanitarian conditions, while political and military circles await the repercussions of these new Israeli claims.

Israeli security agencies consider Izz al-Din al-Haddad their most wanted individual in the Gaza Strip and describe him as the 'Ghost of Al-Qassam'.