Israeli Military Strikes Target Hamas Leader Amid Expanding Control in Gaza

Israel has announced the killing of Iss alDin alHaddad, the military chief of the radical Islamist group Hamas, in a targeted airstrike on Gaza City. The Israeli armed forces confirmed his death on Saturday, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz labeling Haddad as one of the masterminds behind the October 7, 2023, attack that prompted a significant Israeli military offensive in the Gaza Strip. Haddad was reportedly responsible for numerous killings, kidnappings, and injuries among Israeli civilians and soldiers. Hamas acknowledged the loss of the commander, and a memorial service for alHaddad, his wife, and their 19-year-old daughter was held at a mosque in central Gaza, although the circumstances surrounding their deaths remain unclear. AlHaddad ascended to the military leadership of Hamas following the killing of his predecessor, Mohammed Sinwar, by Israeli forces in May 2025. In a related development, Netanyahu confirmed an increase in the territory held by Israel within the Gaza Strip, indicating that Israel now controls approximately 60% of the area, up from the previous 50%. A report from the newspaper Israel Hayom, citing a senior Western diplomat, indicated that Israel's military presence in Gaza had expanded significantly in recent weeks, with troops now deployed along a newly established orange line, replacing the prior yellow line. This expansion was reportedly conducted with the consent of the Peace Council, as it became evident that Hamas had breached its commitment to disarmament. In contrast, Hamas has accused Israel of violating the agreements established under former U.S. President Donald Trump’s peace plan by continuing its military operations in Gaza. Since the resumption of hostilities in October, the number of reported casualties in the Gaza Strip has exceeded 870, according to health authorities affiliated with Hamas. Related Sources: • Source 1 • Source 2