TEL AVIV, May 15. /TASS/. Israel’s strike on the city of Gaza targeted Hamas’ military wing commander in the Gaza Strip, Izz al-Din al-Haddad, Israel’s Defense Minister Israel Katz said.

According to his statement released by the ministry’s press service, al-Haddad was one of the architects of the October 7, 2023 attack on Israel. "Haddad was responsible for the murder, abduction and harm to thousands of Israeli civilians and IDF soldiers. He held our hostages in severe cruelty, dispatched terrorist operations against our forces and refused to implement the agreement led by US President Trump to disarm Hamas and demilitarize the Gaza Strip. This is a clear message to all murderers who seek our lives: sooner or later, Israel will reach you," the statement said.

Al-Haddad’s death has not yet been officially confirmed, however, a senior Israeli security official told the Kan radio that there are "initial indications" that al-Haddad had been eliminated.

According to Kan, the operation involved three Israeli fighter jets, which dropped 13 bombs targeting a residential house presumably sheltering the Hamas commander. The attack left at least three people dead and 20 wounded, Kan said.