Hamas Commander Killed in Israeli Air Strike
A Hamas official confirmed to the BBC that Izz ad-Din al-Haddad, commander of the group’s armed wing, was killed in an Israeli air strike in Gaza City on Friday.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defence Minister Israel Katz issued a joint statement describing Haddad as having been "responsible for the murder, kidnapping and injury of thousands of Israeli civilians and IDF [Israel Defense Forces] soldiers".
Israel characterized Haddad as "one of the architects of the October 7 massacre".
Details of the Air Strike
The strike is the latest in a series of attacks launched by Israel on Gaza despite a ceasefire agreement with Hamas.
Three eyewitnesses told the BBC that a residential building known as Al-Mu'taz was struck by three missiles launched simultaneously from two separate directions. Following this, a fleeing car was also hit.
The air strike targeted the apartment block in the centre of Gaza City and caused a large fire.
Rescue teams arrived promptly at the scene but encountered significant difficulties evacuating the wounded, according to witnesses.
One eyewitness reported to the BBC that a body and several injured individuals had been removed from the building.
A second air strike targeted a car seen leaving the scene and killed three people, as reported by eyewitnesses and a local source.
Sources indicated that the vehicle may have been carrying Haddad after he was seriously injured in the initial strike.
Eyewitnesses and a local source stated that armed Hamas members dressed in civilian clothing evacuated a severely wounded person through a side entrance and placed him in a vehicle.
The car was reportedly hit approximately 1.5 km (0.9 miles) from the apartment block.
A senior Israeli security official said preliminary information suggested that Haddad had been successfully targeted.
Context of the Ceasefire and Ongoing Conflict
A ceasefire in Gaza came into effect on 10 October, but Israel has continued to conduct regular strikes across the Palestinian territory since then.
Hamas has repeatedly accused Israel of violating the ceasefire terms and attacking civilians. Conversely, the Israeli government asserts it has the authority to target Hamas members, accusing Hamas of refusing to disarm in breach of the ceasefire agreement.
US-Led Peace Efforts and Political Developments
Meanwhile, US-led peace efforts have stalled since the onset of the Iran war, with later phases of the plan yet to be implemented.
The US announced the start of the second phase of its plan in January, which involves governance of Gaza by a transitional, technocratic administration alongside the demilitarisation and reconstruction of the territory.
However, talks regarding disarmament remain deadlocked. Hamas has since reactivated its police force and appears to be reasserting its authority.
Netanyahu and Katz stated that Haddad had "refused to implement the agreement led by US President Trump to disarm Hamas and demilitarise the Gaza Strip".
"We will continue to act forcefully and decisively against anyone who took part in the October 7 massacre."
Background of the Conflict
The two-year-long Gaza war was triggered by a Hamas-led attack on southern Israel on 7 October 2023, in which approximately 1,200 people were killed and 251 others were taken hostage.
Israel responded by launching a military campaign against Hamas in Gaza. According to the Hamas-run health ministry, more than 72,744 people have been killed during this campaign, including 857 since the ceasefire began.
