Who is Ezz El-Din Al-Haddad, Hamas's potential leader?
CAIRO - 3 June 2025: The "Ghost of Al-Qassam" is the moniker given by Hebrew media to Ezz El-Din Al-Haddad, a prominent figure now potentially at the helm of Hamas following the reported assassination of Mohammed Sinwar by the Israeli occupation forces. Sinwar was allegedly killed in an airstrike on Khan Yunis on May 13th during a joint operation by the army and the Shin Bet (Israel Security Agency).
Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant stated that Ezz El-Din Al-Haddad and Khalil al-Hayya are "next" on Israel's list after the confirmation of Sinwar's death.
According to Haaretz, Gallant vowed that Israel would reach all those responsible for the October 7th attack on Israeli towns surrounding the Gaza Strip. The Times of Israel reports that Al-Haddad is a high-ranking Hamas commander in Gaza and is now the de facto highest authority in the Strip, while al-Hayya is a member of Hamas's leadership council abroad.
Ezz El-Din Al-Haddad is the commander of the Gaza Brigade and has long been a significant figure in Hamas's top leadership. During the recent conflict, Al-Haddad was reportedly elevated to oversee the entire Gaza Strip.
Al-Haddad rarely appears publicly, but he was seen in a May 2022 video threatening Israel.
According to The Times, Al-Haddad was also reportedly responsible for ensuring the smooth handover of Israeli hostages. Furthermore, Al-Haddad reportedly controls the movement, holds the Israeli hostages, and possesses veto power over the ceasefire proposal presented by US Special Envoy to the Middle East, Steve Witkoff.
The newspaper noted that a previous bounty of $750,000 was offered for information leading to his whereabouts. He is said to be cautious about public or media appearances and maintains limited communication.
Sources indicate that Al-Haddad controls the movement's intelligence apparatus in Gaza and is known by the alias Abu Suhaib. He is the one in control of the Israeli captives and has the power to reject the American ceasefire plan presented by President Donald Trump's envoy to the Middle East, Steve Witkoff.
Other media outlets have reported that Ezz El-Din Al-Haddad has survived several assassination attempts, most notably during the Israeli occupation's aggression on Gaza in 2023. His home has also been bombed multiple times in previous conflicts, the first time in the Shuja'iyya neighborhood during the Battle of Al-Furqan in 2009, and again in the wars of 2012 and 2021, when he held a leadership position in general combat support.
Following the assassination of Bassem Issa in the "Sword of Jerusalem" battle, Al-Haddad officially assumed command of the Gaza Brigade, becoming one of the most wanted figures by the Israeli occupation forces. In November 2023, the occupation announced a $750,000 reward for information leading to his assassination.
On October 6, 2023, the day before the start of Operation "Al-Aqsa Flood," Al-Haddad reportedly held a secret meeting with the commanders of his battalions, distributing the final orders for the attack. Intelligence reports revealed that among his most prominent instructions during the meeting was the necessity of capturing a large number of Israeli soldiers in the early hours of the operation and broadcasting live footage of the storming of settlements and military sites.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Al-Ahram Weekly
8 hours ago
- Al-Ahram Weekly
Under pressure, Netanyahu says Gaza war plan will be revised - War on Gaza
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Monday that the military's Gaza war plan will be revised, amid mounting domestic pressure following the release of videos showing emaciated Israeli captives pleading for help and describing going days without food. Speaking after a week of public outcry, Netanyahu reiterated the government's three stated objectives: the destruction of Hamas, the return of Israeli captives, and ensuring that Gaza no longer poses a threat to Israel. The Israeli PM also claimed that new orders for the military are imminent. On Monday, Netanyahu stated that he would be updating the Gaza war plan, still aiming to achieve his three objectives: the destruction of Hamas, the return of Israeli captives, and ensuring that Gaza is no longer a threat to Tel Aviv. However, domestic criticism continues to mount. On Monday, opposition leader Yair Lapid said: 'The Israeli government no longer knows why soldiers continue to die in Gaza. Only the Netanyahu government refuses to discuss the question of how the war will end. It has not presented any plan, any political vision.' Earlier in the day, 600 former Israeli security officials called on US President Donald Trump to "steer" Israel toward ending the war. 'Stop the war!' Meanwhile, around 1,000 Israeli artists, writers, and cultural figures signed a petition on Sunday titled Stop the Horror in Gaza, demanding an immediate ceasefire. The petition precedes a United Nations (UN) Security Council session scheduled for Monday to discuss the fate of Israeli captives still held in Gaza. The petition reads: 'Against our values and will, we find ourselves complicit in the horrific actions carried out by our government in Gaza: the killing of children and civilians, policies of starvation, mass displacement, and the senseless destruction of entire cities.' It garnered 974 named signatories, including prominent cultural figures, and 62 anonymous supporters. 'Horror on a historic scale is taking place before our eyes,' the statement continues. 'We have the responsibility as humans and as Israelis facing horrors happening in our name against a population located a few kilometres from us, in an impossible reality and terrible suffering.' It concludes: 'Do not issue illegal orders and do not obey them! Do not commit war crimes! Do not abandon the principles of human morality and the values of Judaism! Stop the war.' The petition is the latest in a growing wave of efforts urging Netanyahu's government to reach a ceasefire and captive exchange deal. Weekly demonstrations have continued in Tel Aviv and other cities, while many families of captives say they have no recourse but to speak out through statements, social media, and rallies. In response to public anger, Hamas's military wing, the Al-Qassam Brigades, said the captives were not being deliberately starved, but receive the same limited rations as fighters and civilians under siege. 'They (the captives) won't be offered special privileges while our people suffer starvation and siege,' the group said. A humanitarian catastrophe As pressure builds inside Israel, conditions in Gaza continue to deteriorate. The Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) has warned that the Strip now faces the 'worst-case scenario of famine.' Earlier in the day, dozens of Palestinians were killed by Israeli fire while trying to access food. Another 16 were killed Sunday while waiting for aid. The IPC warned: 'People's access to food across Gaza is now alarmingly erratic and extremely perilous.' The famine reflects the wider humanitarian collapse triggered by Israel's 22-month genocidal war and systemic starvation policies, with the UN previously declaring Gaza 'the hungriest place on Earth,' and 100 percent of the population at risk of famine as of May. Since mid-May, the US- and Israeli-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) has distributed limited flour rations to starving, aid-seeking Palestinians. However, GHF aid distribution points have been condemned by tens of international aid agencies and humanitarian organizations as a "death trap", with Israeli soldiers killing over 1,400 aid-seeking Palestinians at their centres since its inception. Follow us on: Facebook Instagram Whatsapp Short link:
Al-Ahram Weekly
8 hours ago
- Al-Ahram Weekly
Egypt supports Lebanon's sovereignty, national unity: El-Sisi to Aoun
President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi reiterated Egypt's unwavering support for Lebanon's sovereignty, territorial integrity, and national unity during a phone call with Lebanese President Joseph Aoun on Monday, according to a statement from the Egyptian Presidency. El-Sisi expressed Egypt's categorical rejection of any violations against Lebanese sovereignty and reaffirmed support for Lebanon's national institutions in their efforts to maintain security and stability. He also reaffirmed Egypt's support for Lebanon's national institutions in their efforts to ensure security and stability and expressed Egypt's readiness to assist the Lebanese government in reconstruction efforts—an offer that the Lebanese President appreciated. The two leaders discussed ways to bolster bilateral relations, particularly in the fields of economy, trade, and investment, in line with the aspirations of both peoples. Regional developments were also on the agenda, with both presidents emphasizing the need to de-escalate tensions in the Middle East. On Gaza, El-Sisi and Aoun stressed the urgent need for an immediate ceasefire, an end to Israeli aggression, and the swift delivery of humanitarian aid. They also emphasized the importance of releasing all hostages and detainees and launching a rapid reconstruction process in Gaza. Both leaders reaffirmed their countries' longstanding support for the Palestinian people and their legitimate right to establish an independent state, while firmly rejecting any forced displacement of Palestinians from their land. Follow us on: Facebook Instagram Whatsapp Short link:
See - Sada Elbalad
8 hours ago
- See - Sada Elbalad
Aboul Gheit Receives Head of Jordan's Independent Election Commission in Cairo
By Ahmad El-Assasy Secretary-General of the Arab League, Ahmed Aboul Gheit, met on Monday with Eng. Musa Maaytah, Chairman of the Independent Election Commission of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, at the Arab League headquarters in Cairo. The meeting was also attended by Ambassador Amjad Adaileh, Jordan's Permanent Representative to the Arab League. According to Jamal Rushdi, Spokesperson for the Secretary-General, the talks focused on enhancing institutional cooperation between the Arab League and Jordan's Independent Election Commission. The discussions highlighted joint efforts to advance electoral practices, promote the exchange of expertise, and support capacity-building for professionals in the electoral field. Rushdi noted that Eng. Maaytah praised the Arab League's vital role in monitoring elections across member states. He emphasized the importance and credibility of the League's observer mission reports, particularly their observations and recommendations for improving electoral processes. The visit comes as part of Maaytah's participation in monitoring the upcoming Egyptian Senate elections, following an official invitation from Egypt's National Elections Authority. This initiative reflects the strong cooperation and exchange of experiences between Jordan and Egypt in the field of democratic development. read more Gold prices rise, 21 Karat at EGP 3685 NATO's Role in Israeli-Palestinian Conflict US Expresses 'Strong Opposition' to New Turkish Military Operation in Syria Shoukry Meets Director-General of FAO Lavrov: confrontation bet. nuclear powers must be avoided News Iran Summons French Ambassador over Foreign Minister Remarks News Aboul Gheit Condemns Israeli Escalation in West Bank News Greek PM: Athens Plays Key Role in Improving Energy Security in Region News One Person Injured in Explosion at Ukrainian Embassy in Madrid News Israeli-Linked Hadassah Clinic in Moscow Treats Wounded Iranian IRGC Fighters Arts & Culture "Jurassic World Rebirth" Gets Streaming Date News China Launches Largest Ever Aircraft Carrier News Ayat Khaddoura's Final Video Captures Bombardment of Beit Lahia Business Egyptian Pound Undervalued by 30%, Says Goldman Sachs Videos & Features Tragedy Overshadows MC Alger Championship Celebration: One Fan Dead, 11 Injured After Stadium Fall Lifestyle Get to Know 2025 Eid Al Adha Prayer Times in Egypt Arts & Culture South Korean Actress Kang Seo-ha Dies at 31 after Cancer Battle Arts & Culture Lebanese Media: Fayrouz Collapses after Death of Ziad Rahbani Sports Get to Know 2025 WWE Evolution Results
