Ahmedabad Times

The assaults killed round 1,200 folks in Israel and over 250 others have been taken hostage into Gaza. Israel then started its personal set of strikes that devastated the Palestinian enclave and killed greater than 72,700 folks, in line with the Gaza Well being Ministry.

Individuals collect round a residential condo as a fireplace burns after Israeli shelling, in line with the Ministry of Well being, in Gaza Metropolis Could 15, 2026. (Photograph Credit: REUTERS)

Who was Izz al-Din al-Haddad

Haddad, who was born in 1970, turned Hamas’s army chief in Gaza after Israel killed then chief Mohammad Sinwar in Could 2025, in line with Reuters. He joined Hamas when it was established within the Nineteen Eighties, and was a member of the Qassam Brigades’ Majd part that was tasked to go after collaborators with Israel. He was additionally a member of Hamas’ Navy Council, the very best group of commanders that performed a key function within the assaults that sparked the conflict. Israel’s chief of workers for the military referred to as his killing a major operation”.

Netanyahu and Katz describing Haddad as “one of many architects” of the October 7, 2023 Hamas assault on Israel. They accused him of being answerable for the “homicide, abduction, and hurt inflicted on 1000’s of Israeli civilians and troopers”.

The Israeli military claimed al-Haddad was utilizing Israeli hostages as a protect through the conflict. Al-Haddad’s household confirmed to The Related Press he had demise in Friday’s strike together with six others, together with his spouse and daughter. His funeral was held Saturday in Gaza Metropolis, along with his physique wrapped in Hamas and Palestinians flags because it was carried by mourners.

His two sons have been killed earlier through the conflict.

What’s taking place in Gaza

The Israeli strike was carried out amid persevering with hostilities regardless of a fragile US-backed ceasefire reached in October. AP reported that Gaza has witnessed near-daily Israeli hearth because the ceasefire settlement, with greater than 850 Palestinians killed throughout that interval, in line with Gaza’s Well being Ministry.

AP mentioned at the very least two Israeli strikes hit Gaza Metropolis on Friday night, with one concentrating on a residential constructing and one other a car. Palestinian well being officers reported that at the very least seven folks, together with girls and a toddler, have been killed whereas dozens have been wounded. It stays unclear whether or not Haddad was amongst these killed within the strikes.

Israel has intensified assaults in Gaza in latest weeks after halting joint army operations with america towards Iran and redirecting focus again to Gaza, the place Israeli officers say Hamas fighters are regrouping.

Oblique negotiations between Israel and Hamas over a broader post-war association for Gaza additionally stay deadlocked. Reuters reported that the talks are linked to a US-backed proposal championed by President Donald Trump aimed toward ending greater than two years of conflict.