Izz al-Din al-Haddad , also known as Abu Suheib, is the enigmatic figure who has been leading Hamas in Gaza for several months.
Nicknamed "The Ghost" due to his low profile but strong influence, he inherited command after the assassination of his predecessors and is considered today as the man who holds the reins of strategic decisions.
The 55-year-old, originally from the al-Qassam Brigades, previously served in the al-Majd security unit, and then led the Gaza Brigade, participating in numerous operations against Israel.
Western intelligence believes he was one of the main coordinators of the October 7, 2023 attack and that he briefed regional allies without revealing details.
After the outbreak of war, Abu Suheib became a prime target for Israel. He survived several assassination attempts, while his two sons, Suheib and Moaz, were killed, as were several close associates.
Israel has offered a $750,000 reward for anyone who helps eliminate him. He is known as a strong and pragmatic figure, and in an interview he stated: “There are only two paths: an honorable deal, or I am sacrificed.”
A former Israeli hostage claims to have seen him several times, describing him as calm. While in another encounter, after the death of his son, he says he was darker and colder.
He is thought to have the final say in hostage negotiations, although Hamas's structure is divided between those in Gaza and the exiled political wing, which includes figures such as Khaled Meshal, Khalil al-Hayya and Zaher Jabarin.
Despite the Israeli offensive, Hamas still controls an estimated 20,000-25,000 fighters and large parts of the underground network of tunnels, which are used for movement, hiding hostages and organizing surprise attacks. So far, 444 Israeli soldiers have been killed.
Meanwhile, Israeli efforts to weaken Hamas through support for local clans and political alternatives have yielded no visible result.
On the other hand, Hamas' allies, such as Hezbollah and Iraqi Shiite militias, have remained passive. Even Iran, which had helped with training and arms supplies, has lost key figures such as Esmail Shakeri, Saed Izadi and Benham Shahriyari, killed in Israeli attacks on Quds Force commandos.
The Palestinian population remains at the center of the tragedy, surrounded by hunger, bombing, and death in a conflict that knows no end .