3 days ago
Who is Ezz El-Din Al-Haddad, Hamas's potential leader?
Senior Hamas cmdr. Izz al-Din al-Haddad
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.
