Ankara: The commander of the Palestinian group Hamas' military wing, Izz al-Din al-Haddad, was killed in an Israeli strike on Friday evening, according to local sources. The attack also resulted in the deaths of his wife and daughter, with their funerals being held in Gaza City. Al-Haddad's sister confirmed his death to reporters.

According to Anadolu Agency, Hamas confirmed the death of al-Haddad on Saturday. The group's spokesman, Hazem Qassem, issued a recorded statement mourning "one of the greatest fighters of the Palestinian people." He referred to al-Haddad as the "commander-in-chief of the Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades," emphasizing his long-standing struggle against the occupation. Qassem stated that despite this significant loss, the movement's path would continue, driven by hope for victory.

In a separate statement, Hamas called on the international community and mediating states to act and compel Israel to adhere to the terms of the agreement and cease its actions against civilians. Hamas described the assassination as an attempt by Israel to impose political and field realities that it could not achieve through force, aiming to pressure the resistance leadership and influence its political positions.

Hamas highlighted al-Haddad as a fundamental figure in the resistance movement within the Gaza Strip. The statement noted his personal losses, having previously lost his two sons, Suhaib and Mu'min, as well as his son-in-law, Mahmoud Abu Hasira, during the Israeli war of extermination.

Earlier, the Israeli army claimed responsibility for the strike that killed al-Haddad in Gaza City. This development comes amid ongoing violations of the truce in the Gaza Strip, which took effect in October 2025, following Tel Aviv's two-year war that resulted in over 72,000 deaths and more than 172,000 injuries.