In yet another high-risk move for the region, Israel proceeded, as according to what he and the Minister of Defense Israel Katz announced, a while ago in the midst of a truce, (probably) the head of its military wing in Gaza, Iz al-Din Haddad, was killed in a targeted air strike.
According to Israeli media reports, the attack took place in the Rimal neighborhood of Gaza City, where according to Palestinian sources, an apartment building was hit. So far there is no official confirmation of whether Haddad was killed.
Announcement from Netanyahu – Kats
Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz confirmed that Israel had targeted Haddad, calling him “one of the key architects of the October 7 attack.”
More specifically, as the announcement states: “Haddad was responsible for the murder, kidnapping and wounding of thousands of Israeli citizens and IDF soldiers. He held our hostages in inhumane captivity, directed terrorist operations against our forces, and refused to implement the agreement promoted by US President Donald Trump to disarm Hamas and demilitarize the Gaza Strip,” the statement said.
“The Israeli Armed Forces and the Shin Bet fully implement the government’s policy of zero tolerance for threats and proactive neutralization of our enemies,” it added.
“This is a clear message to all those who seek to hurt Israel: sooner or later, Israel will find you,” the statement concluded.
The hit had been approved
A senior Israeli official said the operation had been approved by the political leadership about ten days ago.
According to him, Haddad was under constant surveillance and the strike was carried out on Friday night due to an “operational opportunity with a high probability of successful killing”.
The Israeli military said Haddad was targeted by the air force shortly after intelligence officers of the Southern Command and the Directorate of Military Intelligence received information about his location.
According to a military source, during the war Haddad constantly changed hideouts and was surrounded by hostages, including female soldiers kidnapped from the Nahal Oz base, to prevent him from being targeted by Israeli strikes.
Extension of the ceasefire in Lebanon
At the same time, however, the American government announced that Israel and Lebanon had recently agreed to an extension of the truce lasting 45 days. It is noted that the truce actually only exists on paper since hostilities continue almost every day. According to what the State Department announced, the next round of negotiations between the two sides will take place on June 2-3.
