The IDF carried out an airstrike Friday evening targeting a residential structure in Gaza City’s Rimal neighborhood, with Israeli leaders later confirming that the intended target was Izz al-Din al-Haddad, a top Hamas commander accused of helping orchestrate the October 7 massacre.

Prime Minister Binyomin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Yisroel Katz announced after the strike that Haddad, who headed Hamas’s military wing, had been the focus of the operation.

ראשוני: ניסיון חיסול של מנהיג חמאס עז א-דין אל-חדאד pic.twitter.com/NEtHcdKZ7d

— מעריב | Maariv (@MaarivOnline) May 15, 2026

“Haddad was responsible for the murder, abduction, and harming of thousands of Israeli citizens and IDF soldiers. He brutally held our hostages in captivity, directed terrorist operations against our forces, and refused to implement the agreement led by US President Trump for the disarmament of Hamas and the demilitarization of the Gaza Strip,” they said.

Netanyahu and Katz praised the Israeli military and intelligence agencies for carrying out the operation.

“The IDF and the Shin Bet are effectively implementing the government’s policy of zero tolerance for threats and the preemptive neutralization of our enemies,” said Netanyahu and Katz.

The two leaders emphasized that Israel intends to continue pursuing everyone connected to the October 7 attacks.

“We will continue to act with power and determination against anyone who took part in the October 7th massacre. This is a clear message to all the murderers who seek our lives: sooner or later, Israel will reach you.”

An Israeli defense official later said that preliminary assessments indicated the assassination attempt had likely succeeded.

Defense Minister Katz personally informed the family of former hostage Liri Albag about the operation. According to Israeli officials, Albag had been held captive by Haddad during her time in Gaza.

Albag later reacted publicly on Instagram, writing, “Every dog has its day – and you are one hell of a dog.”

Former hostage Emily Damari, who Israeli officials said had also been held by Haddad, posted a message celebrating the reported elimination.

“It’s official, Izz al-Din al-Haddad has been eliminated !!!!!! Thank you to all the security forces and everyone involved in the operation. Shabbat Shalom to the entire Nation of Israel,” she wrote.

Damari also described the emotional significance the strike carried for victims and survivors of the October 7 attack.

“This is a very, very, very important closure for so many people. He conceived and planned the Seventh [of October], he murdered my friends and so many other precious people, he planned my kidnapping, and he also held me captive in the Hamas tunnels. With God’s help, we will reach every single one of these garbage terrorists,” added Damari.