Israeli forces target senior Hamas commander Izz al-Din al-Haddad in Gaza

On May 15, Israeli forces conducted an airstrike in the Rimal district of Gaza City, targeting Izz al-Din al-Haddad, the senior military commander of Hamas in the Gaza Strip. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz confirmed they authorized the operation, describing al-Haddad as a primary architect of the October 7 attacks. Israeli officials stated there are initial indications of success, with reports of a subsequent strike on a vehicle fleeing the scene to confirm his elimination. Palestinian sources reported casualties at the site of the residential building strike, though the exact status of al-Haddad remains unconfirmed by Hamas. Israeli authorities accused al-Haddad of overseeing the detention of hostages and obstructing disarmament efforts. The incident follows the death of former commander Mohammed Sinwar in May 2025 and represents a significant escalation during an existing ceasefire. International observers note that the strike is viewed by some sources as a breach of current truce agreements.