Israel’s Defense Minister Threatens Assassination of Senior Hamas Leaders Abroad and in Gaza
After Claiming the Killing of Mohammed al-Sinwar, Israel's Katz Vows Khaleel al-Hayya and Izz al-Din al-Haddad Are “Next”.
Watan-Israeli Defense Minister Yisrael Katz threatened on Saturday to assassinate senior Hamas political bureau member Khaleel al-Hayya and Izz al-Din al-Haddad, a senior commander in Hamas’s military wing, the Qassam Brigades.
The statement from Katz’s office followed the Israeli army’s announcement that it had assassinated Mohammed al-Sinwar, a senior commander in the Qassam Brigades, during an airstrike on May 13 in Khan Younis, southern Gaza.
Katz stated: “Izz al-Din al-Haddad is in Gaza, Khaleel al-Hayya is abroad — you are next,” without providing further details.
Earlier on Saturday, the Israeli military said in a statement that a joint operation with the Shin Bet on May 13 targeted a Hamas command complex beneath the European Hospital in Khan Younis, allegedly killing:
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Mohammed al-Sinwar, a top Qassam commander
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Mohammed Shabana, commander of the Rafah Brigade
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Mahdi Kawari, commander of the southern Khan Younis battalion
Hamas has not confirmed or denied the Israeli claims.
Khaleel al-Hayya has served as Deputy Head of Hamas’s Political Bureau since August 2024 and is currently a member of the group’s leadership council, residing outside the Palestinian territories.
Izz al-Din al-Haddad is a top Qassam Brigades commander, heading the Gaza City Brigade and serving on the group’s military council.
On Wednesday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also claimed the military had killed Mohammed al-Sinwar in Gaza on May 13.
Since October 7, 2023, Yisrael has waged a genocidal war on Gaza, involving mass killings, starvation, destruction, and forced displacement. The war continues despite global appeals and rulings from the International Court of Justice demanding a ceasefire.
The ongoing Israeli assault — backed by the U.S. — has resulted in over 178,000 Palestinian casualties, including thousands of children and women, with over 11,000 missing and hundreds of thousands displaced, amid a deadly famine claiming more lives daily.
