Who is Ezzedin al-Haddad, known as the Ghost of al-Qassam, Hamas' third Gaza chief in seven months, Israel can now..
Ezzedin al-Haddad- File image
Who is Ezzedin al-Haddad? Ezzedin al-Haddad, a 55 year old Hamas leader has emerged from the shadows to lead Hamas in Gaza, becoming its third chief in just seven turbulent months. With a $750,000 Israeli bounty on his head and a shattered militant network behind him, Haddad now carries the burden of reviving a crumbling empire amid relentless conflict. Here are all the details you need to know about Ezzedin al-Haddad, the third Gaza chief of Hamas in seven months time. Who is Ezzedin al-Haddad?
Ezzedin al-Haddad is a military veteran who is known as the 'Ghost of al‑Qassam'. He has recently been named Hamas's third Gaza leader in just seven months. He took over as Hamas's Gaza leader after the Israeli strikes that killed Yahya and Mohammed Sinwar. Taking charge amid severe depletion of Hamas, Ezzedin al-Haddad is known for his role in the October 7 attacks. He is also known in the military circles for his policies of recruitment, and hostage oversight. Media reports have it that he brings a more pragmatic edge to command, managing negotiations even as he faces a $750,000 bounty and ongoing Israeli operations. In order to further intensify the attack on Gaza, Israel can now plan further attacks. Israel says it killed Palestinian Mujahideen Brigades chief in Gaza
The Israeli military said that its forces had killed at least two senior members of the Palestinian Mujahideen Movement in strikes in Gaza City, including a commander accused of involvement in the deadly October 7 attack on Israel.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) and the Shin Bet security agency said in a joint statement that As'ad Abu Sharaiya, head of the Mujahideen Brigades — the armed wing of the Palestinian Mujahideen Movement — was killed in a joint operation. They accused Abu Sharaiya of playing 'a key role' in the Hamas-led assault in 2023 and being 'directly involved in the abduction, detention, and killing of Israeli hostages.'
(With inputs from agencies)
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
15 minutes ago
- Time of India
West Asia again on boil: How Israel's Operation Rising Lion unfolded
Israel has been threatening to strike Iran's nuclear facilities for years. It finally did on Friday morning, also hitting ballistic missile sites and taking out Iran's top military brass and several nuclear scientists. Dubbed 'Operation Rising Lion,' the attack reportedly came in waves, involved over 200 Israeli Air Force aircraft that dropped over 330 munitions on around 100 targets across Iran. Here's the lowdown on how the unprecedented strikes unfolded. Timing: The strikes came just after the IAEA published a resolution that declared Iran wasn't complying with its nuclear non proliferation obligations. Israel has long advocated a military solution for what it says is Iran's determination to acquire a nuclear bomb – something Tehran denies vehemently. The strikes were also preceded by US pulling out some personnel from the region. Therefore, everyone, including Tehran, knew something was coming. But the scope and nature were unknown. The feint: There were some doubts whether the strikes would happen this week, thanks to some misdirection. First, US ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee said Israel won't attack Iran without a US greenlight. And since Washington was negotiating with Tehran over the latter's nuclear programme, this was taken to mean that the possibility of a strike was remote. Second, Trump himself played along and indicated that he was against Israeli strikes at this point. However, all of this was a feint as Trump, after the strikes, threatened Iran with further Israeli attacks – with American weapons – should Tehran refuse a fresh deal over its nuclear programme. The sucker punch: What seems to have caught Iranian authorities by surprise is that Israel's Mossad appeared to have struck the first blow in the strikes by launching attacks from within Iran on Tehran's air defence and ballistic missile launchers. Mossad reportedly set up a covert drone base inside Iranian territory for the purpose and smuggled in equipment. The tactic appears to be similar to what the Ukrainians recently did with their Operation Spiderweb where drones were smuggled deep into Russia and used to wreak havoc on Moscow's strategic bomber fleet at four different airbases. Once Iran's air defence and ballistic launchers were crippled from within, it allowed the Israeli Air Force to easily establish aerial dominance. It came in waves: The strikes were unprecedented in scale. IRGC commander-in-chief Major General Hossein Salami was killed alongside armed forces chief General Mohammad Bagheri. Strikes took place on Iran's Natanz nuclear enrichment facility, Parchin military complex and the Khorramabad ballistic missile base. Six Iranian nuclear scientists have also been killed in the attacks. Iranian response: Iran has vowed a harsh response and said that the attack on its nuclear facilities is a declaration of war. Hitherto, Iran launched around 100 drones against Israel in retaliation for the strikes. But there is little indication of any damage to Israel. However, this is likely to be just the opening salvo. A stronger response from Iran is expected, which in turn could lead to escalatory military exchanges, putting the entire region on edge. Both Tel Aviv and Tehran have been signalling this round of conflict is unlikely to wind up quickly. Facebook Twitter Linkedin Email Disclaimer Views expressed above are the author's own.
Time of India
18 minutes ago
- Time of India
‘A second chance': Trump urges Iran to seek peace after Israeli strikes decimate nuclear sites
US President Donald Trump on Friday called on Iran to seize what he described as a 'second chance' to avoid further devastation, following a sweeping Israeli military campaign targeting key nuclear and missile sites across Iran. As Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed to continue strikes 'for as many days as it takes,' Trump said Iran's leadership should return to the negotiating table 'before there is nothing left and save what was once known as the Iranian Empire.' Trump, who held an emergency meeting with his national security team, stressed the US had not participated in the assault but highlighted that Israel used American-made weapons in the operation. 'The United States makes the best and most lethal military equipment anywhere in the World, BY FAR,' Trump posted on Truth Social. 'And Israel has a lot of it, with much more to come.' The strikes, dubbed Operation Rising Lion, hit Iran's enrichment facility at Natanz and its ballistic missile program, with Netanyahu declaring that Iran must never acquire a nuclear weapon. Despite the escalating conflict, Trump signaled his intent to continue pursuing diplomacy. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Trading CFD dengan Teknologi dan Kecepatan Lebih Baik IC Markets Mendaftar Undo His envoy, Steve Witkoff, still plans to travel to Oman for talks with Iranian officials, though it's uncertain if Iran will show up. Trump told US media that Iran is 'calling me to speak' and urged them to 'come to the table.' He also spoke with French President Emmanuel Macron and plans to speak with Netanyahu soon. Meanwhile, US warships are repositioning in the region amid concerns about Iranian retaliation. Democratic Senator Tim Kaine praised the Trump administration for prioritizing diplomacy and not joining the strikes, but warned the situation remains perilous.
India.com
20 minutes ago
- India.com
Israel-Iran Conflict: UK PM Starmer Urges To Step Back, Reduce Tensions Urgently
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has urged "all parties to step back" and reduce tensions urgently after Israel carried out strikes on Iran, what it called a "pre-emptive operation" targeting the latter's nuclear program. Starmer called the reports of these strikes "concerning " and emphasised that stability in the Middle East must be a priority. In a post on X, Starmer stated, "The reports of these strikes are concerning and we urge all parties to step back and reduce tensions urgently. Escalation serves no one in the region. Stability in the Middle East must be the priority and we are engaging partners to de-escalate. Now is the time for restraint, calm and a return to diplomacy." Starmer's statement comes after Israel launched a preemptive strike against Iran on Friday, according to Israel Defence Minister Israel Katz, The Times of Israel reported. Katz declared an emergency situation across the country due to Israel's action in Iran. "Following the State of Israel's preemptive strike against Iran, a missile and drone attack against the State of Israel and its civilian population is expected in the immediate future," The Times of Israel quoted Katz as saying. Katz said that he signed "a special order, according to which a special state of emergency will be imposed in the home front throughout the entire State of Israel." "You must obey the instructions of the Home Front Command and the authorities and remain in the protected areas," Katz added, as per The Times of Israel. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced the launch of a large-scale military campaign, Operation Rising Lion, aimed at dismantling what he described as an existential threat posed by Iran's nuclear and ballistic missile programmes. Netanyahu said Israel had struck multiple high-value Iranian targets in a decisive first strike. "Moments ago, Israel launched Operation Rising Lion, a targeted military operation to roll back the Iranian threat to Israel's very survival," he said, adding that the mission would continue "for as many days as it takes to remove this threat." The Israeli leader accused Iran of pursuing a nuclear weapons programme in defiance of global warnings, pointing to enriched uranium stockpiles capable of producing multiple nuclear bombs. "In recent years, Iran has produced enough highly enriched uranium for nine atom bombs. Nine," he noted, warning that Tehran had taken "steps to weaponise this enriched uranium" and could develop a nuclear weapon within months. Netanyahu likened the current moment to the prelude to World War II, referencing the Holocaust and past global inaction in the face of rising threats. "Eighty years ago, the Jewish people were the victims of a holocaust perpetrated by the Nazi regime. Today, the Jewish state refuses to be a victim of a nuclear holocaust perpetrated by the Iranian regime," he said. Reaffirming Israel's red lines, Netanyahu declared: "Now, as Prime Minister, I've made it clear time and again. Israel will never allow those who call for our annihilation to develop the means to achieve that goal. Tonight, Israel backs those words with action." He elaborated on the targets, stating, "We struck at the heart of Iran's nuclear enrichment programme. We struck at the heart of Iran's nuclear weaponization programme. We targeted Iran's main enrichment facility in Natanz. We targeted Iran's leading nuclear scientists working on the Iranian bomb. We also struck at the heart of Iran's ballistic missile programme." He cited growing threats from Iran's missile development as a catalyst for action. "Last year, Iran fired 300 ballistic missiles at Israel. Each of these missiles carries a tonne of explosives and threatens the lives of hundreds of people. Soon, those missiles could carry a nuclear payload, threatening the lives not of hundreds, but of millions. Iran is gearing up to produce 10,000 of those ballistic missiles within three years. Now just imagine 10,000 tonnes of TNT landing on a country the size of New Jersey. This is an intolerable threat. It must be stopped." Netanyahu said Iran's "new plan to destroy Israel" involved surrounding the country with regional proxies and launching direct attacks, including the October 7th incident. "But the people of Israel, the soldiers of Israel rose like lions to defend our country. We crushed Hamas. We devastated Hezbollah. We hit Iranian proxies in Syria and Yemen. And when Iran directly attacked us twice last year, we struck back inside Iran itself. Yet in defending ourselves, we also defend others."
