Israel acknowledges death of top Hamas military commander in Gaza airstrike

On September 29, 2025, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu took part in a press conference with US President Donald Trump at the White House in Washington, DC.

n

US President Donald Trump announced on October 8, 2025, that Israel and Hamas had reached an agreement on the first phase of his Gaza peace plan, describing it as a groundbreaking move towards ending the two-year conflict.

n

According to Trump, the deal involved Hamas releasing all hostages, while Israel would withdraw its troops to a predetermined line, following discussions in Egypt on his 20-point peace plan.

n

The Israeli military confirmed on Saturday that Ezzedine Al-Haddad, the chief of Hamas' armed wing, had been killed in an air strike in Gaza the previous day.

n

The military stated that Al-Haddad was targeted in a precise strike in the City of Gaza, with the IDF and the ISA announcing his elimination.

n

Two Hamas officials also reported to AFP that Al-Haddad had been killed in an Israeli strike on a residential apartment and a civilian vehicle in Gaza City on Friday.

n

The military described Al-Haddad as one of the last senior commanders in Hamas' military wing, responsible for planning and executing the October 7th massacre.

n

Al-Haddad was involved in holding many Israeli hostages in Hamas captivity throughout the war, and managed the hostage captivity system, using hostages as a shield to prevent his own elimination.