Netanyahu: Israel 'Close to Killing All Architects of October 7 Attack' — Statement Follows IDF Elimination of Hamas Military Wing Chief al-Haddad

On May 17, 2026 (Day 953), Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that Israel is 'close to killing all architects of the October 7 attack,' issuing the declaration in the aftermath of the IDF's confirmed killing of Izz al-Din al-Haddad — head of Hamas's military wing in Gaza and the last known senior planning figure of the October 7, 2023 attack still operating in Gaza. The statement signals Netanyahu's framing of the targeted killing campaign as nearing its declared objective of eliminating all named senior planners of the assault. Hamas political bureau chief Yahya Sinwar was killed in October 2024; military chief Mohammed Deif was killed in July 2024; Hamas co-founder and political leader Ismail Haniyeh was assassinated in Tehran in July 2024. Al-Haddad's killing on May 16, 2026 followed a precision IDF airstrike on the Rimal neighborhood of Gaza City. Netanyahu's declaration comes amid continued Israeli control of approximately 60% of Gaza's territory, ongoing Phase Two negotiations deadlock, and international pressure from the UN Security Council to halt ceasefire violations. Hamas has not announced a successor to al-Haddad as military commander of its Gaza wing.