Ezzedin al-Haddad, commander of the northern Gaza brigade, and alleged replacement for Hamas’ military leader.
| Published June 13, 2025
After Israel killed his two predecessors, Ezzedin al-Haddad takes over a battered militant group that is depleted of veterans but still deadly
GAZA — Hamas has officially appointed Ezzedin al‑Haddad, a seasoned commander known as the “Ghost of al‑Qassam,” as its new leader in the Gaza Strip. His rise follows the elimination of two predecessors—Yahya Sinwar and Mohammed Sinwar—both killed in Israeli strikes earlier this year .
🧭 Who is al‑Haddad?
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Identity & Nickname: At approximately 55 years old, Ezzedin al‑Haddad (also spelled Izz al‑Din al‑Haddad) has long served in Hamas’s military branch, the Izz al‑Din al‑Qassam Brigades, earning his moniker for his lethal elusiveness.
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Operational Role: A key planner of the October 7, 2023 attacks, al‑Haddad previously oversaw hostage coordination and fighter recruitment.
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Leadership Style: Though hardline in combat, he’s reportedly more pragmatic than his predecessors and has participated in hostage negotiations.
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Survival & Notoriety: He has outlasted several Israeli assassination attempts—possibly as many as six—and is ranked just behind the elusive Mohammed Deif on Israel’s most-wanted list.
⚔️ Context of the Leadership Crisis
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Fall of Yahya Sinwar: Hamas’s previous top Gaza commander, Yahya Sinwar, was reportedly eliminated by Israeli forces in October 2024.
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Brief rule of Mohammed Sinwar: Yahya’s brother, Mohammed Sinwar—dubbed “the Shadow”—briefly took leadership before being killed in a May Israeli airstrike, with his remains found beneath a Gaza hospital.
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Israeli Counterpressure: Following al‑Haddad’s appointment, Israel’s Defense Minister Israel Katz announced a $750,000 bounty, marking him a top-priority target.
🔍 Strategic Implications
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Operational Resilience: Despite more than 600 days of war, Israel’s airstrikes, and Hamas’s leadership losses, the group remains operational—retaining thousands of fighters, tunnel networks, and limited weaponry.
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Tactical Adaptation: Al‑Haddad inherits a force crippled by shortages of arms, funds, and trained personnel, with Gaza now partially under Israeli control .
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Possible Shift in Calculus: His reputed willingness to engage in negotiations—or at least tolerate them—raises questions about potential openings for hostage deals or temporary cease‑fires .
📌 Why This Matters
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Leadership Vacuum Addressed: Hamas’s swift transition to a third leader in seven months highlights its ability to stay cohesive under pressure.
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Escalated Israeli Targeting: Al‑Haddad’s elevated profile signals that Israel’s high-stakes campaign against Hamas’s core command structure will continue aggressively.
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Humanitarian & Military Outlook: As Gaza faces deeper devastation, living conditions worsen—and Hamas’s future path under al‑Haddad will shape both military and diplomatic dynamics.
Hamas fighters stand in formation ahead of a ceremony to hand over Israeli hostages to the Red Cross in Nuseirat, Gaza Strip.AP
Here’s a breakdown of the strengths and weaknesses of Hamas’s new leader, Ezzedin al‑Haddad, also known as the “Ghost of al‑Qassam”:
🟢 Strengths
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Operational Experience
Al‑Haddad has decades of combat and leadership experience within the Izz al‑Din al‑Qassam Brigades, making him deeply embedded in Hamas’s military structure. -
Survivability and Stealth
Nicknamed “the Ghost” for evading at least six Israeli assassination attempts, he is considered highly elusive—an asset in a leadership role targeted by Israeli intelligence. -
Loyalty Within the Ranks
He commands respect from hardened fighters and is known to have long-standing loyalty from mid-level commanders, which may stabilize morale after successive leadership losses. -
Negotiation Openness
Unlike some predecessors, al‑Haddad has reportedly participated in hostage talks and may be more pragmatic about tactical negotiations, giving Hamas more strategic flexibility. -
Symbolic Resilience
His appointment signals continuity and defiance after Israeli strikes killed both Yahya and Mohammed Sinwar, bolstering Hamas’s image among supporters.
🔴 Weaknesses
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Resource Constraints
He inherits a militarily and economically devastated Gaza Strip, with severely limited weapons, manpower, and supply routes—hampering operational capacity. -
High Visibility and Targeting Risk
With Israel placing a $750,000 bounty on his head, al‑Haddad is under intense surveillance, increasing the likelihood of a targeted strike. -
Leadership Gap in Political Strategy
While effective militarily, he lacks the political prominence of Yahya Sinwar, which may limit Hamas’s diplomatic leverage in negotiations or ceasefire talks. -
Global Isolation
Hamas’s international isolation has intensified, especially after October 7, 2023. Al‑Haddad’s ties to past attacks may complicate back-channel diplomacy or prisoner swaps. -
Dependency on Iran and Proxies
The group’s growing reliance on Iranian support and regional proxy networks makes Hamas more vulnerable to shifts in external politics and funding flows.
Yahya Sinwar, head of the Palestinian Islamic movement Hamas in the Gaza Strip. He was killed in Gaza.SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images
Hamas’ political bureau chief Ismail Haniyeh speaks during a rally. He was assassinated last year in Tehran.dpa/picture alliance via Getty Images
Palestinians (rear) stand behind armed fighters from Hamas’ Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades during the handover of three Israeli hostages to Red Cross representatives in Al Nuseirat refugee camp, central Gaza Strip, in February 2025.MOHAMMED SABER/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock
🔚 Conclusion
The appointment of Ezzedin al‑Haddad, the so-called “Ghost of al‑Qassam,” as Hamas’s new Gaza leader marks both a symbolic and strategic turning point for the group. His deep combat experience, survival record, and internal support present clear strengths, especially in maintaining organizational continuity after catastrophic losses. However, the immense pressure from Israel, dwindling resources, and growing international isolation limit his ability to shift Hamas’s fortunes significantly in the short term.
Al‑Haddad’s tenure will likely test whether military resilience alone can sustain Hamas—or whether a more pragmatic approach to diplomacy and negotiations will emerge under his shadowy leadership.
SOURCES: THE NEW YORK POST – Hamas names ‘Ghost of al-Qassam’ as its new leader after Israel wiped out his two predecessors: report
MATZAV – Hamas Names ‘Ghost of Al-Qassam’ As Its New Leader After Israel Wiped Out His Two Predecessors
THE WALL STREET JOURNAL – The ‘Ghost of al-Qassam’ Becomes Hamas’s Third Leader in Seven Months
THE TIMES OF INDIA – The Ghost of al-Qassam: Who is Ezzedin al-Haddad? Meet Hamas’ third Gaza chief in seven months
