In brief
Israeli forces have carried out an air strike in Gaza City, resulting in the death of Izz ad-Din al-Haddad, a key Hamas commander. This strike has intensified the ongoing conflict despite a ceasefire that took effect earlier this month. Israeli leaders attribute Haddad's death to his role in orchestrating attacks against Israeli civilians and military personnel. Eyewitness accounts describe a devastating strike on a residential building that left several individuals dead and many others injured.
A Hamas official has confirmed to the BBC that Izz ad-Din al-Haddad, commander of the group's armed wing, was killed in an Israeli air strike in Gaza City on Friday.Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defence Minister Israel Katz said in a joint statement that Haddad had been 'responsible for the murder, kidnapping and injury of thousands of Israeli civilians and IDF [Israel Defense Forces] soldiers'.Israel described him as 'one of the architects of the October 7 massacre'.The strike is the latest launched by Israel on Gaza despite a ceasefire with Hamas. Eyewitnesses reported that a residential building known as Al-Mu'taz was hit by three missiles from two separate directions, leading to a massive fire.Rescue teams faced significant challenges in evacuating the wounded. Eyewitness accounts suggest that several individuals, including a body, were removed from the building.A subsequent air strike targeting a car fleeing the scene reportedly resulted in three more deaths. Sources indicated that this vehicle could have been carrying Haddad after he was injured in the initial attack.The Israeli government stated that Haddad's targeting was part of its ongoing efforts to combat Hamas, which it accuses of failing to adhere to a ceasefire agreement.The air strikes underscore the fragile state of the ceasefire established on October 10, with continuing claims and counterclaims between Israel and Hamas regarding breaches of the agreement. As reports indicate a staggering number of casualties since the onset of violence, the conflict reveals deep-seated grievances and recurring cycles of retaliation in the region.}
