The Chief of Staff at a General Staff situation assessment following the elimination of Ez al-Din Haddad: “This is a significant operational success for the IDF, led by the Southern Command, Aman, the Air Force, and the Shin Bet.”

This is an important closing of a circle. In all the conversations I had with the returned hostages, the name of the chief murderer, Azz al-Din Haddad – one of the main perpetrators of the October 7th massacre and the head of Hamas’s military wing, came up again and again. Today we succeeded in eliminating him. The IDF will continue to pursue our enemies, attack, and hold accountable everyone who was part of the October 7th massacre. We will not rest until we reach everyone – this is our duty to all the returnees and to all citizens of the State of Israel.” In conclusion of the situation assessment, the Chief of Staff instructed the Southern Command to maintain high operational readiness and to respond immediately to any attempt to harm our forces or the territory of the State of Israel.