Izz al-Din al-Haddad is emerging as the key figure expected to lead Hamas after a series of deadly Israeli airstrikes wiped out almost all of the group’s senior commanders, reports the Jerusalem Post. Among those killed was Muhammad Sinwar, the head of Hamas’s military wing, who had taken over following the deaths of top leaders Yahya Sinwar and Muhammad Deif in 2024. Al-Haddad is a longtime member of Hamas’s Military Council, and now appears to be the most senior commander left from the group’s pre-war Gaza leadership.Senior role in Hamas military leadershipAccording to the European Council on Foreign Relations, al-Haddad has long been a member of Hamas’s Military Council. He has led the Izz al-Din al-Qassam Brigades in Gaza City since 2021 and, as of November 2023, also commanded Hamas’s northern Gaza brigade.Al-Haddad is now believed to be the last surviving member of the five original brigade commanders in Gaza, The Jerusalem Post has reported, making him the most senior figure left to oversee Hamas’s military operations.Sinwar’s killing in Khan YounisThe Israeli defence forces confirmed that Muhammad Sinwar was killed in a May 13 airstrike carried out on the grounds of the European Hospital in Khan Younis. The operation also killed Muhammad Shabana, commander of Hamas’s Rafah Brigade, and Mahdi Quara, who led the South Khan Younis Battalion.The IDF said more than 50 precision munitions were fired within 30 seconds during the attack, hitting an underground Hamas command centre without damaging the hospital above.Sinwar had taken charge of Hamas’s military wing after the assassination of Muhammad Deif in July 2024. He was described by Israeli officials as “among the most senior and long-serving members of Hamas’s military wing,” and had been a key figure in the planning of the October 7, 2023, attacks.Al-Haddad’s growing influenceThe Times reported that al-Haddad was involved in the planning of the October 7 assault on Israel, distributing written instructions to commanders the night before the operation. He also played a key role in handling hostages and infrastructure during ceasefires, reportedly overseeing both civilian and military rebuilding efforts in Gaza.Al-Haddad is said to have survived six Israeli assassination attempts and is known to keep a low profile. A $750,000 bounty had previously been placed on him, and he reportedly limits his communications to avoid being tracked.The Times said he holds veto power over hostage release proposals, including those currently on the table, and controls the group responsible for holding the Israeli hostages.A vacuum of leadershipAfter the killings of Yahya Sinwar, Muhammad Deif, and now Muhammad Sinwar, Hamas finds itself with very few senior figures remaining. Yahya Sinwar, the mastermind of the October 7 attack, was killed in combat in late 2024. His younger brother, Muhammad Sinwar, became the de facto leader until his death in May.Israeli defence minister Israel Katz commented on Sinwar’s death, saying: “Now it is official: The murderer Muhammad Sinwar has been eliminated with the Rafah Brigade commander Muhammad Shabana and the wicked gang who were with them under the European Hospital in Gaza, and he was sent to meet his brother at the gates of hell.”Katz also issued a stark warning: “Izz al-Din Haddad in Gaza and Khalil al-Hayya abroad, and all their partners in crime, you are next in line.”
