Israel’s ‘Ghost’ Commander’s Final Letter Expresses Disappointment but No Despair

Gaza — The Al-Qassam Brigades released a final message from their military chief, Izz ad-Din al-Haddad, written before his death. In a letter published via the Al-Qassam Brigades’ Telegram account last Sunday, as cited by Al Jazeera on Monday (25 May 2026), al-Haddad expressed deep sorrow over what he described as the lack of tangible support from the Muslim world and international community towards Gaza’s residents during two years of war, famine, and massacres in the territory. He assessed that the response has not been commensurate with the magnitude of the 7 October 2023 events or the devastating humanitarian tragedy in Gaza. “Despite the immense betrayal and disappointment we feel, we will not despair. We will continue to fight and knock on every door,” al-Haddad wrote in his message. Previously, Hamas announced al-Haddad’s death on 16 May, the main commander of the Al-Qassam Brigades, who was killed in an Israeli airstrike in Gaza City. His funeral was held amid a large procession of Gaza residents. In its statement, Hamas said al-Haddad died alongside his wife, Ummu Shuhaib, daughter Nur, and several other civilians due to Israel’s ‘treacherous assassination’. Hamas stated that al-Haddad remained on the front lines until his final moments. Al-Haddad was known as one of the most prominent military figures in the Al-Qassam Brigades. He joined Hamas when the organisation was founded in 1987 and rose through the leadership ranks until he was entrusted with leading the brigade’s military staff during the war that began in October 2023. Throughout his career, he was implicated in planning and executing various military operations against Israel. He was also known for his key role in developing the security unit “Al-Majd”, an internal Al-Qassam Brigades body tasked with hunting and apprehending individuals suspected of collaborating with Israeli intelligence in Gaza. For years, al-Haddad narrowly escaped Israeli assassination attempts. His home in Shuja’iyya was first bombed during the 2009 war, then targeted again in the 2012 and 2021 conflicts. After Operation “Al-Aqsa Storm” began on 7 October 2023, Israel reportedly intensified its pursuit and attacks on suspected hideouts, leading to his death in the latest strike.