Thousands Mourn Commander Izz al-Din al-Haddad in Gaza After Israeli Assassination
Thousands of Palestinians joined the funeral procession of senior Al-Qassam Brigades commander Izz al-Din al-Haddad, known as Abu Suhaib, after he was martyred in an Israeli airstrike on Gaza City
Gaza, PUREWILAYAH.COM — Thousands of Palestinians poured into the streets of Gaza City on Saturday to bid farewell to Izz al-Din al-Haddad, one of the most prominent military commanders of the Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades, the armed wing of Hamas, after he was assassinated in a new Israeli violation of the Gaza ceasefire.
Al-Haddad, widely known by his nom de guerre Abu Suhaib, was martyred on Friday evening when Israeli warplanes struck a residential building in the upscale Rimal neighborhood in western Gaza City. His wife and daughter were also martyred in the attack, along with several other Palestinian civilians, including women and children.
At least seven Palestinians were martyred and nearly 50 others were wounded in the strike, according to local reports.
A source within Hamas told Al Jazeera that the targeted building was located in a densely populated civilian area, underscoring Israel’s continued policy of assassinating resistance leaders in the midst of residential neighborhoods.
Spontaneous crowds gathered in large numbers to accompany the bodies of al-Haddad and his family. Mourners carried the bodies through the streets draped in Palestinian and Hamas flags while chanting slogans affirming their commitment to the path of resistance.
“Abu Suhaib, rest in peace, we will continue the struggle,” demonstrators chanted, while others proclaimed, “There is no god but Allah, and the martyr is beloved by God.”
Women ululated as the funeral procession moved through Gaza City in a powerful display of grief, pride, and steadfastness.
Video footage from the funeral showed al-Haddad’s body wrapped in the Hamas flag and placed beside portraits of the fallen commander, as thousands of Palestinians pledged that the assassination would only strengthen the resistance.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and War Minister Israel Katz announced shortly after the attack that the assassination had been carried out on their direct orders.
A Veteran of the Resistance
Al-Haddad was regarded as one of the most senior military leaders in Hamas. He joined the movement shortly after its founding in 1987 and rose through its ranks over decades of struggle against Israeli occupation.
Following the martyrdom of Mohammed Deif, al-Haddad assumed command of the Gaza Brigade and played a central role in rebuilding and directing the resistance under some of the most intense military assaults in Gaza’s history.
After Israel assassinated several senior resistance leaders, including Ismail Haniyeh, Yahya Sinwar, and Marwan Issa, al-Haddad became one of the occupation’s most wanted figures. Israeli authorities reportedly offered a reward of $750,000 for information leading to his location.
Ceasefire Violations Continue
The assassination of al-Haddad adds to thousands of Israeli violations of the Gaza ceasefire announced in October 2025 under the mediation of U.S. President Donald Trump.
According to Gaza’s Government Media Office, Israel committed more than 2,400 violations between October 2025 and April 2026, including airstrikes, artillery shelling, shootings, and the demolition of homes, resulting in the martyrdom of hundreds of Palestinians.
Palestinian resistance factions, including Hamas, Islamic Jihad, and the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine, said the martyrdom of Commander al-Haddad would not weaken the resistance, but would instead deepen its resolve to continue the struggle until the liberation of Palestine, Al-Quds, and Al-Aqsa Mosque.