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The Israeli military carried out an airstrike in Gaza targeting Ezzedine al-Haddad, a senior commander within Hamas’ armed wing, Defense Minister Israel Katz said Friday.
In a statement posted on social media, Katz said he and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ordered the operation despite the ongoing ceasefire in Gaza.
Katz described al-Haddad as the head of Hamas’ military wing and accused him of being among the planners of the Oct. 7, 2023, attack on Israel. He also accused the Hamas commander of rejecting efforts backed by U.S. President Donald Trump to disarm Hamas and demilitarize Gaza.
"The IDF and Shin Bet are effectively implementing the government's policy of containing threats and preemptively thwarting our enemies," Katz said.
There was no immediate statement from Hamas, and no independent confirmation emerged regarding al-Haddad’s condition.
Israel also carried out fresh airstrikes across southern Lebanon on Friday, as Lebanese and Israeli representatives continued a second day of talks in Washington aimed at easing tensions between the two countries.
The Israeli military stated that the attacks targeted Hezbollah infrastructure near the coastal city of Tyre. Lebanon’s Health Ministry reported that at least 37 people were wounded in the strikes, including six hospital workers, nine women and four children.
Although a cease-fire between Israel and the Iran-backed Hezbollah movement has remained in effect since April 17, cross-border violence has continued, with both sides repeatedly accusing each other of breaching the truce.
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