Who is "the Qassam Ghost", why does 'Israel' fear him?
Ezzedine Al-Haddad, a senior military commander in Hamas's Qassam Brigades, has become a central figure in "Israel's" war campaign, drawing public assassination calls from "Israeli" Defense Minister Israel Katz.
Haddad is seen by "Israeli" officials as one of the most influential and tactically significant leaders within the Gaza-based resistance group.
- 'The Qassam Ghost' -
Nicknamed 'Abu Suhaib,' Haddad has earned a reputation inside "Israeli" intelligence circles as 'The Qassam Ghost' due to his ability to evade capture and survive multiple assassination attempts. He commands the Gaza City Brigade of the Qassam Brigades and sits on Hamas's inner military council. Under his leadership, at least six battalions operate, making him a key architect of the group's military structure.
Haddad rose through the ranks from field operations to brigade command, building a long resume of organizational and combat experience that spans more than a decade.
- A long history of "Israeli" targeting -
Haddad has survived repeated assassination attempts, including one during "Israel's" 2023 offensive on Gaza. His home has been bombed multiple times—in the 2008-2009 Battle of Al-Furqan, and again in the 2012 and 2021 wars—during which he held a senior role in combat support.
After the killing of Bassem Issa during the 2021 Sword of Jerusalem battle, Haddad assumed formal command of the Gaza Brigade, becoming a top priority for "Israeli" intelligence. In November 2023, "Israel" offered a USD 750,000 reward for information leading to his assassination.
- Role in the October 7 operation -
On Oct. 6, 2023, just one day before Hamas launched Operation Aqsa Typhoon, Haddad reportedly convened a secret meeting with brigade and battalion leaders to issue final directives. Intelligence reports indicate he emphasized the need to capture as many "Israeli" soldiers as possible in the early hours of the operation and to broadcast live footage of raids on settlements and military outposts.
- Continued manhunt and repeated escapes -
Despite sustained efforts, "Israeli" forces have so far failed to eliminate Haddad. In late 2023, troops raided his home in the Tuffah neighborhood of Gaza City, claiming to find documents and photographs detailing links with other field commanders. His home in Tel al-Hawa was bombed in February 2024, again in March, and targeted for a fourth time in June—all unsuccessful attempts.
Recent "Israeli" military assessments suggest Haddad has taken over operational leadership in northern Gaza, a shift that has only elevated concerns among "Israeli" officials.
- Personal loss -
On Jan. 17, 2025, the Qassam Brigades announced the death of Haddad's son, Suhaib, in an "Israeli" airstrike targeting the Tuffah neighborhood in eastern Gaza. The loss marked a rare public acknowledgment of personal grief in the life of one of Hamas's most secretive commanders.
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