Israel targets head of Hamas armed wing with Gaza strike

Israel said it had targeted the head of Hamas' armed wing with a strike in Gaza on Friday, describing him as an architect of the October 7, 2023, attacks that precipitated Israel's two-year assault on the Palestinian territory.



Hamas did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the fate of Izz al-Din al-Haddad, who became the militant group's military chief in the Gaza Strip after Israel's killing of commander Mohammad Sinwar in May 2025.



Haddad is the most senior Hamas official targeted with a strike by Israel since an October U.S.-backed deal that was meant to halt fighting in Gaza. The attack comes as Israel and Hamas remain deadlocked in talks to advance President Donald Trump's post-war plan for Gaza.



Medics in Gaza said at least three people were killed and 20 injured in air strikes targeting an apartment and a vehicle. It was not immediately clear if Haddad was one of the dead.