Izz al-Din al-Haddad

The Ghost of al-Qassam

Born in 1970, Izz al-Din al-Haddad, also known by his nom de guerre Abu Suhaib, has become one of the most significant and enigmatic figures in Hamas. He's known as the "Ghost of al-Qassam" in Gaza—a testament to his deep operational secrecy and rarely seen public profile. His journey marks a profound ascent within the organization.

Rapid Ascent Through Hamas Ranks

Al-Haddad joined Hamas at a remarkably young age, aligning himself with the movement almost from its inception in 1987. He began his career as a hands-on operative in the Gaza Brigade, steadily climbing the ladder from platoon commander to battalion commander, eventually taking the reins of the entire brigade.

His influence extended beyond combat; al-Haddad held a senior position within Al-Majd, Hamas's secretive internal security unit. This arm focused on uncovering spies and collaborators, making him privy to highly sensitive counterintelligence operations, often in close consultation with Yahya Sinwar.

For years, al-Haddad upheld his ghostly reputation, rarely appearing publicly. However, this veil began to lift. In May 2022, he was seen in a video threatening Israel, and in January 2025, he gave a revealing Al Jazeera interview, openly discussing his central role in planning the momentous October 7 attack.

Architect of the October 7 Attacks

Al-Haddad was at the very core of planning for the October 7, 2023 attack, known as Operation Al-Aqsa Flood. On October 6, he meticulously distributed written orders to his battalion commanders, emphasizing the abduction of Israeli soldiers, their transport into Gaza, and the "live broadcasting and the takedown of Israeli communities." He then managed the initial incursion, with his instructions leading to some of the deadliest assaults, including the attack on Kibbutz Nahal Oz.

In November 2023, Israeli authorities underscored al-Haddad's critical importance by offering a substantial reward of US$750,000 for any information leading to his capture or death. This bounty cemented his status as a high-value target and a significant strategic threat to Israel.

Ascent to Supreme Military and Political Command

The ongoing conflict drastically reshaped Hamas's hierarchy. In May 2025, after his predecessor, Mohammed Sinwar, was killed in an Israeli airstrike, al-Haddad officially took the helm. He became both the supreme commander of the Al-Qassam Brigades—Hamas's military wing—and the fourth Hamas leader in the Gaza Strip, positions that grant him immense power.

As of May 2025, al-Haddad continues to spearhead military operations across northern Gaza, actively working to rebuild the group's capabilities. Crucially, his new leadership role means he now holds veto power over any ceasefire or hostage deal proposed in the ongoing war, making him a central figure in future peace discussions.

While Arab officials suggest al-Haddad might be more amenable to certain aspects of hostage deals and Israeli demands for disarming Hamas, his fundamental stance remains firm. He believes a complete release of all hostages should only occur at the war's conclusion, contingent on a full Israeli withdrawal from Gaza.

Al-Haddad reportedly draws strategic inspiration from other historical insurgencies. According to a Middle Eastern official, he views the Chechen fight against Russia during the First Chechen War as a viable model for Hamas to emulate in Gaza, highlighting a commitment to protracted resistance.

Evolving Military Authority

Al-Haddad's command responsibilities steadily expanded, reflecting his growing influence. He took control of the Al-Qassam Brigades' Gaza City brigade during the 2021 Israel–Palestine crisis, following the assassination of Bassem Issa. By November 2023, he commanded the northern Gaza brigade, becoming the overall commander for northern Gaza by June 2024, overseeing multiple battalions and a special forces unit.

During the intense Gaza war, al-Haddad played a critical logistical role, overseeing reconstruction efforts during ceasefires to rebuild vital infrastructure. He also directly managed the sensitive handovers of Israeli hostages, showcasing his involvement in both military planning and the humanitarian aspects of the conflict.

Following the killing of Yahya Sinwar, The Wall Street Journal reported that al-Haddad effectively shared control of Hamas with Mohammed Sinwar, commanding two regional commands and 14 battalions. In early 2025, he reportedly pushed for a Gaza war ceasefire with Israel and tried to persuade Mohammed Sinwar to release additional hostages before the truce eventually collapsed.

Interactions with Hostages

Unusually for a figure of his stature, al-Haddad is reported to have had direct interactions with some Israeli hostages. A former captive told The Wall Street Journal they met al-Haddad five times, even occasionally sleeping in the same apartment. During their initial encounter in March 2024, al-Haddad reportedly insisted on speaking Hebrew, inquired about their needs, and even ensured a forgotten book was recovered.

The former hostage observed a shift in al-Haddad's demeanor, describing him as "more negative" during a later meeting in January 2025. This change tragically coincided with a profound personal loss for al-Haddad: his eldest son and grandson were both killed in an Israeli airstrike that very month, with his second son dying in another strike later in April.

Another former hostage, Eitan Mor, recounted meeting al-Haddad shortly after being taken from the Nova music festival massacre. Al-Haddad reportedly told Mor in Hebrew that he would be released in two weeks – a promise that, while not immediately fulfilled, demonstrated a direct, albeit manipulative, communication during a traumatic experience. Mor was eventually released in October 2025.

Romi Gonen, another hostage, recounted a chilling phone call with al-Haddad during the end of the November 2023 ceasefire. She stated al-Haddad assured her an attacker would be found and she would be prioritized for release, but only if she did not disclose any sexual assault by her captors. Later, she and Emily Damari were taken to al-Haddad's tunnel.

Upon Gonen's release in January 2025, al-Haddad approached her vehicle. He reportedly asked, "Do you remember our promise? Here, you're going out first... Do you remember your promise to me? I hope you fulfill it." Gonen replied, "I'll fulfill the promise," before being handed over to the Red Cross, highlighting a disturbing implication about the conditions of her release.

Al-Haddad has remained deeply skeptical of external peace initiatives. He viewed the Gaza war peace plan presented in October 2025 with intense scrutiny, reportedly perceiving it as fundamentally "designed to finish Hamas," indicating a profound distrust of proposals he believes undermine the organization's existence.

Surviving Assassination Attempts

Izz al-Din al-Haddad is considered one of Israel's most wanted Hamas commanders, having reportedly survived at least six assassination attempts. He now ranks first on Israel's most-wanted list of Al-Qassam leaders, a position he assumed following the deaths of other high-profile figures like Marwan Issa, Mohammed Sinwar, and Ra'ad Sa'ad.