Media: Possible Hamas leader killing could shift Gaza dynamics

Israel believes that the possible elimination of the de facto Hamas leader in Gaza, Izz ad-Din al-Haddad, could influence both ongoing negotiations and the broader situation in the enclave, according to a report by Ynet.

The outlet reported that the operation had been in preparation for approximately a week and a half. During that time, al-Haddad was kept under continuous surveillance, and the strike was executed once conditions allowed for a successful outcome.

Israeli officials say that al-Haddad had opposed the US plan to disarm Hamas and demilitarise the Gaza Strip. At the same time, Israeli security agencies assess that his removal could either lead to a hardening of the group’s position or, alternatively, push it toward making concessions.

In Jerusalem, there is also an expectation that the strike could prompt some Hamas commanders to leave the enclave, while demonstrating the ability of Israeli intelligence services to reach targets even in tunnels and shelters. According to Israeli assessments, the elimination of al-Haddad weakens Hamas’s radical wing and may affect its position in negotiations.

If the reports confirming the leader’s death are verified, the development would be regarded as a significant success for Israel.

By Tamilla Hasanova