The IDF and Shin Bet on Motzei Shabbos confirmed the elimination of Hamas military chief Izz al-Din al-Haddad, one of the architects of the October 7 massacre.

Al-Haddad was killed on Friday in an IDF strike on a building in the Rimal neighborhood of Gaza City.

He entered his position following the elimination of Mohammed Sinwar and worked to rebuild Hamas’s military capabilities.

Following the massacre, Al-Haddad oversaw the holding of the hostages in Gaza. He surrounded himself with hostages, including the female IDF soldiers abducted from Nachal Oz, in order to avoid being targeted in IDF strikes.

Al-Haddad was one of the most veteran Hamas commanders, joining the terror organization during its establishment, and held a number of senior positions, including serving as the commander of the Gaza City brigade.

“Al-Haddad is one of the last senior commanders in Hamas’ military wing who directed the planning and execution of the October 7th massacre and the management of combat operations against IDF troops,” the IDF added. “His elimination joins the eliminations of numerous other senior Hamas military wing commanders during the war.”

IDF Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir said, “This is a significant operational achievement by the IDF, led by the Southern Command, IDF intelligence, the Israeli Air Force, and the Shin Bet.”

“In every conversation I held with the returned hostages, the name of the arch-terrorist Izz al-Din al-Haddad, one of the chief perpetrators of the October 7 massacre and the head of Hamas’ military wing, came up again and again. Today, we succeeded in eliminating him.

“The IDF will continue to pursue our enemies, strike them, and hold accountable everyone who took part in the October 7 massacre. We will not relent until we reach them all. This is our duty to all those who returned and to all Israeli citizens.”

(YWN’s Jerusalem desk is keeping you updated after tzeis ha’Shabbos in Israel)