Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told reporters on Sunday that the military has almost completed its mission to kill every Hamas leader responsible for planning the October 7 attack on southern Israel. His statement came just two days after Israel announced it had killed Ezzedine al-Haddad, the commander of Hamas’ Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades, in a precision airstrike in central Gaza on Friday.

Netanyahu called al-Haddad’s death a major victory but stressed that Israel still has more targets to eliminate. “We are close to completing the elimination of those who planned the October 7 massacre,” Netanyahu said during a cabinet meeting. The Israeli military confirmed al-Haddad’s death in a statement, saying he was a key figure in Hamas’ military operations and had played a direct role in the October 7 assault.

Who was Ezzedine al-Haddad and why his death matters

Al-Haddad, 53, joined Hamas in the 1990s and rose through the ranks to become one of the group’s most senior military commanders. He was known for orchestrating attacks against Israeli forces and settlers in the West Bank before taking a leading role in Gaza. Israeli authorities accused him of planning the October 7 operation, which saw Hamas militants breach the Gaza-Israel border, killing 1,200 people and taking 240 hostages back to Gaza.

His death marks the highest-ranking Hamas military leader killed since the start of Israel’s offensive in Gaza. Israel has targeted dozens of Hamas commanders and officials in airstrikes and ground operations, aiming to dismantle the group’s leadership structure. The military said al-Haddad was killed in a strike on a command center in Gaza City’s Zeitoun neighborhood, where he was meeting with other Hamas officials.

Netanyahu’s vow and Israel’s shifting war goals

Netanyahu first promised to eliminate the Hamas leaders behind October 7 in the hours after the attack. At the time, he framed the goal as a central objective of Israel’s response, vowing to make those responsible “pay the price.” Since then, Israel has launched a massive military campaign in Gaza, killing more than 34,000 Palestinians according to Gaza health officials, though Israel disputes those figures.

The war has drawn global criticism over the high civilian death toll and the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. The United Nations and aid groups warn of widespread famine and disease in the territory. Israel insists it’s targeting only Hamas militants and accuses the group of using civilians as human shields. The military’s announcement of al-Haddad’s death comes as Israel faces pressure to wind down its offensive.

What happens next?

Israel’s military says it will continue strikes against Hamas leaders and infrastructure until the group can no longer function as an organized force. Analysts say al-Haddad’s death weakens Hamas’ command structure but won’t end the group’s ability to operate. Hamas has already appointed replacements for key positions, showing resilience despite heavy losses.

Netanyahu’s comments suggest Israel sees the elimination of October 7’s masterminds as a way to deter future attacks. But critics argue the strategy risks prolonging the war without addressing the underlying causes of the conflict. Meanwhile, negotiations for a ceasefire and hostage release remain stalled, with both sides blaming the other for the lack of progress.

What You Need to Know

  • Source: SCMP
  • Published: May 17, 2026 at 18:05 UTC
  • Category: World
  • Topics: #scmp · #asia · #china · #world-news · #war · #conflict

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Curated by GlobalBR News · May 17, 2026

🇧🇷 Resumo em Português

Israel está prestes a fechar o cerco aos principais cérebros do ataque de 7 de outubro, segundo o governo de Benjamin Netanyahu. A promessa foi reforçada após a morte de Ezzedine al-Haddad, um dos líderes do Hamas, em uma operação militar israelense, o que, segundo autoridades israelenses, aproxima o país de seu objetivo de eliminar toda a cadeia de comando responsável pela ofensiva que chocou o mundo há quase dois anos.

O anúncio ganha peso quando se considera o impacto que a eliminação dos líderes do Hamas teria não apenas em Israel, mas também no cenário geopolítico do Oriente Médio e, por tabela, na vida de milhões de brasileiros de origem árabe e palestina. Para o governo brasileiro, que mantém posições cuidadosas em relação ao conflito, a escalada militar reforça o desafio de equilibrar relações com ambos os lados, ao mesmo tempo em que lida com pressões internas por uma postura mais clara. Além disso, a persistência do conflito continua a alimentar debates sobre segurança global, migração e até mesmo o antissemitismo e a islamofobia em terras brasileiras.

Se a estratégia israelense se confirmar, o próximo passo será observar como o Hamas reagirá — seja com retaliações diretas ou com mudanças em sua estrutura de poder, o que poderia redefinir não só a guerra em Gaza, mas também as dinâmicas regionais nos próximos meses.

🇪🇸 Resumen en Español

Israel está a punto de desmantelar la cúpula de Hamás responsable de los atentados del 7 de octubre, según aseguran las autoridades israelíes, que celebran la muerte de un alto mando clave como un avance decisivo en la guerra.

El anuncio, realizado por el primer ministro Benjamin Netanyahu tras la eliminación de Ezzedine al-Haddad, refuerza la narrativa israelí de que la ofensiva militar en Gaza está dando resultados estratégicos. Sin embargo, el impacto real de esta victoria en la seguridad regional sigue siendo incierto, especialmente cuando el conflicto prolongado amenaza con desestabilizar aún más Oriente Medio y profundizar la crisis humanitaria en la Franja. Para los hispanohablantes, este desarrollo subraya la complejidad de un conflicto que trasciende fronteras y resuena en debates globales sobre guerra, paz y justicia.