Hamas Confirms Death of Izz al-Din al-Haddad, Gaza Armed Wing Commander, Killed in May 15 IDF Rimal Strike

A Hamas official confirmed on May 16, 2026 that Izz al-Din al-Haddad, commander of Hamas's armed wing in Gaza, was killed in the Israeli airstrike on the Rimal neighborhood of Gaza City the previous day. An Israeli official stated al-Haddad had been 'actively undermining Trump's Gaza plan' by organizing continued militant operations during the October 2025 ceasefire. Al-Haddad's elimination is the most senior Hamas military killing since the October 2025 ceasefire began. Hamas vowed to continue resistance operations. The confirmation deepened the Hamas disarmament negotiation deadlock: Hamas has now lost multiple senior commanders since the ceasefire began, and officials have stated that the killings only 'strengthen their resolve.' The cumulative Palestinian death toll under the October 2025 ceasefire now stands at approximately 900+, with disarmament talks at an impasse. Israel maintains it will continue targeted operations until Hamas's military capacity is destroyed.