Latest news with #al-Haddad
Roya News
05-07-2025
- Politics
- Roya News
Hamas' new leader says will only accept 'honorable deal': report
As the United States intensifies efforts to broker a ceasefire between 'Israel' and Hamas, the group's decision on a potential deal now largely rests with its newly appointed de facto leader in Gaza, Izz al-Din al-Haddad. He assumed command of Hamas's military wing following the killing of Muhammad Sinwar in an airstrike by the 'Israeli' air force. The 'Israeli' military spokesman Effie Defrin said Thursday that al-Haddad, believed to be in his mid-50s, is the new leader. Officials indicate that al-Haddad played a role in planning the October 7, 2023 attack on 'Israel' and is a staunch opponent of efforts to dismantle Hamas. His hardline stance suggests he could obstruct any deal requiring the release of all remaining captives before a complete end to the war in Gaza and a full 'Israeli' withdrawal. According to a senior Middle Eastern intelligence official cited in a report by The New York Times, al-Haddad has recently said he will pursue either an "honorable deal" or a "war of liberation or a war of martyrdom." Indirect talks between 'Israel' and Hamas have repeatedly stalled, primarily over the permanence of any cease-fire. Hamas demands a lasting end to the war, while 'Israeli' Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu insists on dismantling the group's military and governing capabilities. Al-Haddad is one of the few surviving commanders left from Hamas's high-level military council. While 'Israel' has failed to kill al-Haddad, his eldest son and a close aide have reportedly been killed in the war.
Time of India
05-07-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Izz al-Din al-Haddad is Hamas' new de facto chief in Gaza
As the US presses for a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, the militant group's decision will largely hinge on its new de facto chief in the Gaza Strip. The commander, Izz al-Din al-Haddad, took over the military wing in Gaza after Israeli forces killed Mohammed Sinwar, according to a senior Middle Eastern intelligence official and three Israeli defence officials. On Thursday, Brig Gen Effie Defrin, the Israeli military's spokesperson, said that al-Haddad was Hamas' new chief. Al-Haddad, who is in his mid-50s, helped plan the Hamas-led attack on Oct 7, 2023, the officials said. He is believed to be in firm opposition to Israeli efforts to dislodge Hamas from power, suggesting that he could block any push to release all remaining hostages before an end to the war in Gaza and a withdrawal of Israeli troops. Al-Haddad is thought to be based in Gaza City, his hometown. He is believed to have said in recent weeks that he will either achieve an "honorable deal" to end the war with Israel or else the war will become "a war of liberation or a war of martyrdom," the Middle Eastern intelligence official said. Since the Oct 7 attack, al-Haddad has been the only senior Hamas commander to give an on-the-record interview, appearing in an Al Jazeera documentary that aired in Jan.
News18
02-06-2025
- Politics
- News18
From Battalion Commander To Hamas Military Chief: Rise Of Izz al-Din al-Haddad
Last Updated: By June 2024, he was appointed chief military commander for northern Gaza, a move considered part of a broader shift in Hamas's military structure. Mohammed Sinwar, the Hamas chief, was declared dead on Wednesday by Israel amid the ongoing conflict that began on 7 October 2023. With Sinwar's death, the man now leading Hamas is Izz al-Din al-Haddad. Who Is Izz al-Din al-Haddad? – Izz al-Din al-Haddad began his career as a company-level commander. – His responsibilities grew, and he eventually led a full battalion. – Over time, he assumed command of six battalions and a special forces unit. – By June 2024, he was appointed chief military commander for northern Gaza, a move considered part of a broader shift in Hamas's military structure. – Following Yahya Sinwar's reported death, al-Haddad is believed to have taken charge of two significant regional commands and as many as 14 battalions, according to The Wall Street Journal. A long-standing target of Israel, al-Haddad has been targeted several times, with attacks dating back to 2008. Israeli airstrikes targeted his residence in 2008, 2012, 2021, and 2023. Since Hamas launched its attack on Israel on 7 October 2023, Israel has made three further attempts to kill him. frequently changes safe houses and follows strict security protocols, confiding in only a small, trusted inner circle. The night before Hamas's surprise attack on Israel, al-Haddad held a secret meeting with senior commanders. There, he shared a document outlining key objectives: the mass abduction of Israeli soldiers into Gaza, real-time documentation of the assault, and the capture of Israeli border communities, Ynet News reported. According to intelligence sources, his main role included direct command of the Nahal Oz military base assault, where over 60 soldiers and 15 civilians were killed, and several hostages were taken to Gaza. Watch India Pakistan Breaking News on CNN-News18. Get breaking news, in-depth analysis, and expert perspectives on everything from geopolitics to diplomacy and global trends. Stay informed with the latest world news only on News18. Download the News18 App to stay updated! First Published: June 02, 2025, 20:14 IST
Yahoo
02-06-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Hamas's Gaza City commander, Izz al-Din al-Haddad, to replace Sinwar
Al-Haddadd reportedly survived six assassination attempts and was reportedly charged with rebuilding civilian and military infrastructure during ceasefires with Israel. Izz al-Din al-Haddad, the commander of the northern Gaza brigade, is expected to replace Mohammed Sinwar as leader of Hamas's military wing, The Times reported on Sunday. According to the European Council on Foreign Relations, al-Haddad is a member of Hamas's Military Council, and was head of the Izz al-Din al-Qassam Brigades (Hamas's military wing) in Gaza City since 2021, and commander of the northern Gaza brigade since November 2023. Al-Haddadd reportedly survived six assassination attempts and was reportedly charged with rebuilding civilian and military infrastructure during ceasefires with Israel, The Times noted. He was also responsible for ensuring that hostage handovers went smoothly, according to the report. Additionally, al-Haddad controls the group, holds the Israeli hostages, and has veto power on the proposal put forward by US Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff. The Times said that al-Haddad coordinated the initial invasion on October 7, including rallying Hamas commanders the night before with written documents of how to carry out the attack. Al-Hadadd has a previous bounty of $750,000 for information on his whereabouts, and is reportedly cautious of appearing in public or the media, and ensuring limited communication, The Times stated.
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First Post
02-06-2025
- Politics
- First Post
After Sinwar's death, who is Hamas's new military chief Izz al-Din al-Haddad?
With Yahya and Mohammed Sinwar dead, Izz al-Din al-Haddad, known as 'the Ghost of the al-Qassam Brigades', has risen to lead Hamas's military operations in Gaza. A veteran commander with decades in the ranks, he now oversees key decisions on hostages, warfare and ceasefire negotiations read more Izz al-Din al-Haddad is also known by his aliases 'Abu Suhaib' and 'the Ghost of the al-Qassam Brigades." Image/X With the confirmed death of Mohammed Sinwar and the earlier assassination of Yahya Sinwar, Hamas's military command structure has taken a significant hit. The man now emerging as the group's de facto military leader in Gaza is Izz al-Din al-Haddad, a seasoned commander with deep roots in armed and intelligence operations. Known by his aliases 'Abu Suhaib' and 'the Ghost of the al-Qassam Brigades', al-Haddad has not only evaded Israel's most intensive manhunts but is now believed to hold authority over hostages, military operations and key decisions regarding ceasefire negotiations. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Who is Izz al-Din al-Haddad? Al-Haddad's rise through the Hamas hierarchy has spanned decades. His career began in the Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades as a company-level commander. From there, he took charge of a battalion and, over time, commanded a total of six battalions and a special forces unit. His ascent reached a new height following the Israeli killing of Bassem Issa in 2021. Al-Haddad was appointed commander of the Gaza Brigade, one of the most critical posts within the armed wing. In June 2024, he was reportedly designated as the overall commander for northern Gaza. Following the death of Yahya Sinwar, reporting by The Wall Street Journal indicated that al-Haddad assumed responsibility for two major regional commands and 14 battalions. He was, in effect, sharing command of the Gaza Strip with Mohammed Sinwar until the latter's confirmed elimination. This division of power marked the beginning of al-Haddad's consolidation of control over Hamas's military wing. Izz al-Din al-Haddad's role in the October 7 attacks The night before the attack, al-Haddad reportedly convened a secret meeting with senior commanders under his authority. During this meeting, he distributed a document that outlined the mission's core objectives: the mass abduction of Israeli soldiers to be transported into Gaza, real-time documentation of the assault and the capture of border-adjacent Israeli communities, reported Ynet news. His role in that day's events has been substantiated by multiple intelligence assessments. Among the operations under his command was the assault on the Nahal Oz military base, where more than 60 Israeli soldiers and 15 civilians were killed. Numerous others were taken hostage and transported into Gaza as part of the offensive's coordinated abduction plan. Al-Haddad later gave an interview on Al Jazeera's 'More Hidden Than Revealed', in which he defended Hamas's actions by claiming the group had discovered Israeli military plans for a major Gaza operation. 'Hamas launched the October 7 assault after allegedly uncovering information from Unit 8200 servers,' he said, asserting that the organisation breached an Israeli system and retrieved a document detailing an Israeli Defense Forces war plan. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD How al-Haddad has survived Al-Haddad has long been a target of the Israeli military. He has survived at least six assassination attempts, with attacks dating back to 2008. Israeli airstrikes targeting his residence were carried out in 2008, 2012, 2021 and 2023. Since the latest war began, three more targeted operations have attempted to eliminate him — including one where Israeli troops raided a location where he was believed to be hiding, only to find he had already fled. According to intelligence sources, al-Haddad is extremely guarded about his whereabouts and movements. He frequently shifts locations and maintains tight security protocols, relying on only a select few from his inner circle. This strategic caution has helped him remain elusive, even as Israel has placed a $750,000 bounty on information leading to his capture or death. His eldest son, Suhaib, was killed in an Israeli airstrike in Gaza City on January 17, 2025. The same strike also took the life of his grandson. In April 2025, his second son was also killed during an Israeli operation. How much sway does al-Haddad hold in Hamas Al-Haddad was also a senior figure in al-Majd, an internal counterintelligence unit established by Yahya Sinwar. This organisation was tasked with identifying and eliminating alleged collaborators with Israel. His work in al-Majd deepened his relationship with Sinwar and provided him with critical insight into Gaza's internal threat landscape. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Reports indicate that the trust between al-Haddad and the Sinwar brothers was rooted in years of collaboration, both in intelligence operations and armed strategy. This alliance helped position him as a natural successor once senior Hamas figures began falling to Israeli attacks. Following the intense fighting that marked the early months of the war, there was a brief lull during which several Israeli hostages were released. In one such transfer, involving three hostages — including British-Israeli dual national Emily Damari — al-Haddad was reportedly involved in ensuring the handover process went smoothly. By this point, he had already begun overseeing both military and civilian aspects of Hamas's reconstruction efforts in Gaza. He is also reported to have held veto power over the latest ceasefire proposal mediated by US envoy Steve Witkoff, reported The Times. While Hamas said it accepted the deal 'in principle,' the group later — an amendment that Witkoff condemned as 'unacceptable' and a move that 'only takes us backward.' STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Al-Haddad's influence over such high-stakes decisions indicates that he now holds a decisive role not only in battlefield tactics but also in Hamas's strategic policymaking. His current standing makes him one of the few individuals capable of greenlighting or blocking a ceasefire agreement. While al-Haddad remains behind the scenes, public diplomacy has largely been delegated to others. Muhammad Ismail Darwish, once considered an obscure figure, has emerged as a key negotiator on Hamas's behalf. Darwish, who previously managed financial operations for the group, is now believed to have taken over many responsibilities from the former lead negotiator. The case of Muhammad Shabana Though al-Haddad is now seen as the primary commander in Gaza, another senior figure was briefly considered a potential successor: Muhammad Shabana, commander of the Rafah Brigade. Shabana took on his role during Operation Protective Edge in 2014, following the deaths of three Hamas leaders. He has overseen four battalions, including the elite Nukhba unit that played a frontline role in the October 7 attack. Shabana, like al-Haddad, has survived several Israeli assassination attempts. Reports suggest he was targeted during IDF ground operations in Rafah, and three of his sons lost their lives during the conflict. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Speculation arose that Shabana might have died alongside Mohammed Sinwar in a tunnel strike. However, this has not been confirmed by either Israeli or Palestinian sources. In the absence of verified reports on Shabana's fate, al-Haddad's leadership appears uncontested for now. Also Watch: With inputs from agencies
