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Israel targets Hamas militant chief in Gaza, medics say three killed
Israeli officials said the strike targeted Hamas’ most senior military leader and came despite a fragile US-brokered ceasefire.
On Friday, May 15, 2026, Israel conducted a strike in Gaza targeting Hamas military leader Izz al-Din al-Haddad, whom Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz identified as an architect of the October 7, 2023, attacks.
Haddad became military chief after Israel killed commander Mohammad Sinwar in May 2025 and was accused of holding hostages while rejecting disarmament agreements led by President Donald Trump.
Medics reported at least three people killed and 20 injured in air strikes targeting an apartment and vehicle in Gaza City. A senior Israeli security official indicated the assassination was successful, though independent outlets and Hamas have not confirmed Haddad's death.
Former hostages Liri Albag and Emily Damari reacted publicly, with Damari stating, 'It's official, Raz al-Din al-Haddad has been eliminated!' The IDF said it is implementing a policy of defeating threats ahead of time rather than containing them.
The strike occurs amid a fragile US-brokered ceasefire that officials acknowledged is 'far from perfect.' Since mid-October, the Palestinian Ministry of Health reported more than 850 people killed, with Israeli forces occupying over half of Gaza.
Palestinian media reported that three people were killed and more than 30 injured in a heavy Israeli bombing that targeted a residential apartment and a car in Gaza.