Funeral ceremonies began in Gaza City on Saturday for Izz al-Din al-Haddad, the general commander of the Al-Qassam Brigades, the military wing of Hamas, after he was killed in an Israeli airstrike on Friday evening.

Local sources reported that the funeral procession started from the Al-Aqsa Martyrs Mosque in Gaza City, where the funeral prayer was held before the body was taken to its final resting place. The burial included al-Haddad’s wife and daughter, who were also killed in the same airstrike.

The Israeli military confirmed the elimination of the senior Al-Qassam Brigades commander in what it described as a “precise” strike, stating he was the last of the senior leaders from the October 7 attack. Mosques in northern Gaza reported al-Haddad’s death following airstrikes targeting him.

A senior Hamas official confirmed the news of al-Haddad’s death. According to three Hamas sources, the identification of his body was carried out by his family and close associates, noting that it was only remains.

A Hamas official alluded to al-Haddad’s death in a post, adding that the movement “continues to offer more” martyrs.

According to Israeli estimates, al-Haddad was one of the last remaining prominent military leaders of Hamas in Gaza from the October 7 era, while it is believed that Muhammad Ouda is still among the surviving leaders.

Israel announced on Friday that it had carried out an airstrike in Gaza targeting Izz al-Din al-Haddad, describing him as the commander of Hamas’s military wing and “one of the chief architects” of the October 7 attack.

Hamas has not yet issued any comment on al-Haddad’s fate. He assumed the military leadership of the movement in the Gaza Strip after Israel killed commander Muhammad al-Sinwar in May 2025.

Al-Haddad is the most senior Hamas official targeted by Israel in an airstrike since the October agreement brokered by the United States to halt fighting in Gaza. This attack comes amid continued deadlock in negotiations to advance President Donald Trump’s post-war plan for Gaza.

Israel has intensified its attacks on Gaza over the past five weeks since it halted its joint bombing campaign with the United States on Iran, turning its firepower towards the devastated Palestinian territory.

Al-Aqsa Martyrs Mosque

The Al-Aqsa Martyrs Mosque, also known as Masjid Al-Aqsa, is located in the Old City of Jerusalem and is one of the holiest sites in Islam. Its history dates back to the 7th century, with the current structure largely built during the Umayyad period, and it has been a central site for Islamic worship and pilgrimage ever since. The name “Al-Aqsa” means “the farthest mosque,” referencing the Prophet Muhammad’s Night Journey from Mecca to this sacred location.

Al-Aqsa Martyrs Mosque

The Al-Aqsa Martyrs Mosque is located in the Jenin refugee camp in the West Bank and was inaugurated in 2003. Its name commemorates Palestinians killed in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, particularly during the Second Intifada. The mosque serves as a major religious and community center for the camp’s residents.

Al-Aqsa Martyrs Mosque

Al-Aqsa Martyrs Mosque is a prominent mosque located in Jenin, in the West Bank. It was named in memory of those killed in the Palestinian struggle, particularly during the Second Intifada. The mosque serves as a central religious and cultural landmark in the city, reflecting the region’s complex modern history.

Gaza City

Gaza City is one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world, with a history spanning over 5,000 years. It has been a vital trade hub and crossroads for civilizations, including the Philistines, Egyptians, Romans, and Ottomans. In modern times, it became the administrative center of the Gaza Strip and has been deeply impacted by the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, particularly since the 2007 Hamas takeover and subsequent blockades.