Hamas appoints new Gaza commander after Mohammed Sinwar’s death

Starting as a company commander in the al-Qassam Brigades, Izz al-Din al-Haddad steadily climbed the hierarchy, eventually commanding six battalions and a special forces unit.

By Jewish Breaking News

Hamas has reportedly appointed Izz al-Din al-Haddad as its new commander in Gaza, filling the leadership vacuum left by Mohammed Sinwar’s death in an Israeli airstrike last month.

According to The Times, al-Haddad, known within Hamas circles as “Abu Suhaib,” now holds veto power over any potential deal with Israel, including the latest proposal floated by White House special envoy Steve Witkoff.

That proposal called for a 60-day ceasefire in exchange for the release of 10 living hostages and 18 dead hostages, with Israel releasing hundreds of jailed Arab terrorists. Hamas dismissed the offer as “unacceptable.”

His appointment comes after Mohammed Sinwar was killed on May 13 when Israeli fighter jets dropped over 50 munitions in 30 seconds on a fortified tunnel system beneath the European Hospital in Khan Yunis.

The precision strike eliminated not only Sinwar but also Muhammad Shabana, commander of Hamas’s Rafah Brigade, leaving al-Haddad as the most senior surviving terror leader in the enclave.

In spite of its bravado, Hamas has lost much of its top leadership since mercilessly attacking Israel on October 7, 2023.

Yahya Sinwar, Mohammed’s older brother, who orchestrated the assault on Israel, was killed by IDF troops in Rafah in October 2024.

Before that, political chief Ismail Haniyeh was assassinated in Tehran in July 2024.

Al-Haddad’s rise through Hamas ranks began in 1987 when the organization was founded.

Starting as a company commander in the Izz al-Din al-Qassam Brigades, he steadily climbed the hierarchy, eventually commanding six battalions and a special forces unit.

His breakthrough came in 2021 when he was appointed commander of the Gaza Brigade after his predecessor, Bassem Issa, was killed in an Israeli strike.

The new Hamas leader played a central role in planning the October 7. A

ccording to the report, al-Haddad personally coordinated the initial attacks on Israel, issuing orders to unit commanders charged with leading the massacre.

He also held a crucial meeting the night before October 7, distributing written documents detailing how to carry out the operation.

Following the initial infiltrations into Israeli territory, al-Haddad directed Hamas attacks on the Nahal Oz kibbutz and neighboring military outpost, operations that resulted in the deaths of 61 soldiers and 15 civilians.

Dubbed the “Ghost of the al-Qassam Brigades,” the 55-year-old has cheated death on multiple occasions.

Al-Haddad has reportedly survived at least six assassination attempts since 2008, including airstrikes on his home in 2008, 2012, 2021, and 2023.

Israel has placed a $750,000 bounty on information leading to his capture or killing.

GazaHamasIzz al-Din al-Haddad