From Battalion Commander To Hamas Military Chief: Rise Of Izz al-Din al-Haddad

Last Updated:June 02, 2025, 20:14 IST

By June 2024, he was appointed chief military commander for northern Gaza, a move considered part of a broader shift in Hamas’s military structure.

Hamas Chief Izz al-Din al-Haddad (Credits: X)

Mohammed Sinwar, the Hamas chief, was declared dead on Wednesday by Israel amid the ongoing conflict that began on 7 October 2023.  With Sinwar’s death, the man now leading Hamas is Izz al-Din al-Haddad.

Who Is Izz al-Din al-Haddad?

– Izz al-Din al-Haddad began his career as a company-level commander.

– His responsibilities grew, and he eventually led a full battalion.

– Over time, he assumed command of six battalions and a special forces unit.

– By June 2024, he was appointed chief military commander for northern Gaza, a move considered part of a broader shift in Hamas’s military structure.

– Following Yahya Sinwar’s reported death, al-Haddad is believed to have taken charge of two significant regional commands and as many as 14 battalions, according to The Wall Street Journal.

How Did Al-Haddad Survive Constant Israeli Attacks on His Residence?

A long-standing target of Israel, al-Haddad has been targeted several times, with attacks dating back to 2008. Israeli airstrikes targeted his residence in 2008, 2012, 2021, and 2023.

Since Hamas launched its attack on Israel on 7 October 2023, Israel has made three further attempts to kill him.

According to intelligence sources, al-Haddad remains extremely cautious about his movements and locations. He frequently changes safe houses and follows strict security protocols, confiding in only a small, trusted inner circle.

This high level of operational secrecy has made him notoriously difficult to track, despite Israel placing a $750,000 bounty on him.

Al-Haddad and His Role in Hamas’s October Attack

The night before Hamas’s surprise attack on Israel, al-Haddad held a secret meeting with senior commanders. There, he shared a document outlining key objectives: the mass abduction of Israeli soldiers into Gaza, real-time documentation of the assault, and the capture of Israeli border communities, Ynet News reported.

According to intelligence sources, his main role included direct command of the Nahal Oz military base assault, where over 60 soldiers and 15 civilians were killed, and several hostages were taken to Gaza.

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