As the US presses for a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, the militant group’s decision will largely hinge on its new de facto chief in the Gaza Strip. The commander, Izz al-Din al-Haddad, took over the military wing in Gaza after Israeli forces killed Mohammed Sinwar, according to a senior Middle Eastern intelligence official and three Israeli defence officials. On Thursday, Brig Gen Effie Defrin, the Israeli military’s spokesperson, said that al-Haddad was Hamas’ new chief. Al-Haddad, who is in his mid-50s, helped plan the Hamas-led attack on Oct 7, 2023, the officials said. He is believed to be in firm opposition to Israeli efforts to dislodge Hamas from power, suggesting that he could block any push to release all remaining hostages before an end to the war in Gaza and a withdrawal of Israeli troops. Al-Haddad is thought to be based in Gaza City, his hometown. He is believed to have said in recent weeks that he will either achieve an “honorable deal” to end the war with Israel or else the war will become “a war of liberation or a war of martyrdom,” the Middle Eastern intelligence official said. Since the Oct 7 attack, al-Haddad has been the only senior Hamas commander to give an on-the-record interview, appearing in an Al Jazeera documentary that aired in Jan.
