Latest commander of Al-Qassam Brigades, Hamas’s military wing, is said to have told counterparts in recent weeks that he will either achieve an “honorable deal” to permanently end the war in Gaza or the conflict will become “a war of liberation or a war of martyrdom.”
The comment by Izz al-Din Al-Haddad was reported on Friday by The New York Times which cited an unnamed Mideast intelligence official.
Al-Haddad, took over the military wing in Gaza after Israeli forces killed Mohammed Sinwar, according to a senior Middle Eastern intelligence official and three Israeli defense officials who spoke on condition of anonymity to divulge sensitive details.
The new commander, who is in his mid-50s, helped plan the Hamas-led Operation Al-Aqsa Flood on Oct. 7, 2023, according to the officials cited by NYT.
He is believed to be in firm opposition to Israeli efforts to dislodge Hamas from power, suggesting that he could block any push to release all remaining hostages before a total end to the war in Gaza and a withdrawal of Israeli troops, the NYT added.
“He has the same red lines as the people before him,” said Michael Milshtein, a former Israeli military intelligence officer specializing in Palestinian affairs.
🚨🇵🇸 BREAKING: Izz al-Din al-Haddad likely to be named NEW HAMAS LEADER.
Al-Haddad has survived 6 ASSASSINATION ATTEMPTS & is believed to be the last surviving member of the 5 original brigade commanders in Gaza. pic.twitter.com/ob5lZgAa5F
— Legitimate Targets (@LegitTargets) June 5, 2025
Al-Haddad is thought to be based in Gaza City, his hometown. He is believed to have said in recent weeks that he will either achieve an “honorable deal” to end the war with Israel or else the war will become “a war of liberation or a war of martyrdom,” the Middle Eastern intelligence official said.
Indirect talks between the Zionist entity and Hamas have repeatedly failed to produce a ceasefire, prolonging the suffering of Palestinian civilians enduring a brutal war on the besieged enclave.
But over the past week, the Trump administration has been pushing for a cessation in hostilities, helping to shape a new proposal that would begin with a 60-day pause in fighting, during which talks about an end to the war would happen.
On Friday, Hamas announced it has completed its internal consultations and discussions with the Palestinian factions and forces regarding the latest proposal by the mediators to end the Israeli war on Gaza.
The movement has submitted its response to the mediators, which was described as positive, according to the statement.
Source: The New York Times and Israeli media
