Israeli strike targets Izz al-Din al-Haddad after days of intelligence tracking, with officials saying the Hamas Gaza leader opposed disarmament and his removal could influence negotiations as the group prepares to choose a new leader on SundayIsrael had for a long time sought to eliminate Izz al-Din al-Haddad, the number one Hamas leader in Gaza who was targeted on Friday evening by IDF forces. Political authorization for the strike was granted to the army about a week and a half earlier. Since then, intelligence surveillance of him had been continuous and the strike was carried out after an operational opportunity emerged, assessed as having a high probability of success.Haddad was seen as opposing the Trump administration’s “Council of Peace” plan for the disarmament of Hamas. Israeli officials believe even the Americans will not mourn his death and that it will not change Washington’s position, which supports continued implementation of the plan despite Hamas refusing to allow a technocratic committee into Gaza and the entry of a Palestinian policing force. Israel likely informed the Americans in advance of the intention to target him.3 View gallery Attack on a residential building in Gaza