Hamas names ‘Ghost of al-Qassam’ as its new leader after Israel wiped out his two predecessors
By Emily Crane
Hamas has reportedly named a veteran terrorist known as the “Ghost of al-Qassam” as its latest leader in Gaza — after his two predecessors were wiped out by Israel.
Ezzedin al-Haddad, who helped plan the Oct. 7, 2023 attacks, was recently handed control of Hamas’ Gaza operations, the Wall Street Journal reported, citing multiple sources.
He is the group’s third leader in just seven months after Israeli eliminated his two predecessors — Oct. 7 mastermind Yahya Sinwar and then last month his brother Mohammed Sinwar who took the reins after him.
Izz al-Din al-Haddad, commander of the northern Gaza brigade.
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Ezzedin al-Haddad, the commander of the northern Gaza brigade, and alleged replacement for Hamas military leader.
Hamas fighters in formation.
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Hamas fighters stand in formation ahead of a ceremony to hand over Israeli hostages to the Red Cross in Nuseirat, Gaza Strip.
AP
Haddad, 55, previously oversaw the captivity of Israeli hostages and recruitment for Hamas’ fighters.
He got his nickname as the “ghost” of the group’s militant wing because of his low profile, according to the sources.
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Haddad, too, has survived multiple Israeli assassination attempts throughout the war, they added.
Yahya Sinwar, head of Hamas, waving to a crowd.
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Yahya Sinwar, head of the Palestinian Islamic movement Hamas in the Gaza Strip. He was killed in Gaza.
SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images
His appointment comes just weeks after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced Mohammed Sinwar’s death in an airstrike.
His body was only retrieved from an underground tunnel beneath a hospital in southern Gaza earlier this week, the Israeli military said.
Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh speaking at a pro-Palestine rally.
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Hamas’ political bureau chief Ismail Haniyeh speaks during a rally. He was assassinated last year in Tehran.
dpa/picture alliance via Getty Images
“Mohammad Sinwar was responsible for the deaths of countless civilians,” the IDF wrote on X.
“He died the way he lived — underground.”
Palestinian fighters stand with weapons during a prisoner exchange.
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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
Mohammed had been the terror group’s defacto leader ever since his older brother — who masterminded the Oct. 7 bloodshed — was killed in a routine raid late last year.
Haddad, who has a $750,000 bounty on his head, is next on Israel’s target list, according to to Defense Minister Israel Katz.
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