DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip (AP) — An Israeli airstrike in Gaza on Friday targeted the leader of Hamas ’ military wing, Israeli officials said, but it wasn't immediately clear if Izz al-Din al-Haddad was killed or injured.
Hamas did not immediately acknowledge or comment on the strike.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz said an airstrike carried out by the military Friday evening targeted al-Haddad, the leader of Hamas’ Qassam brigades.
There were at least two Israeli strikes Friday evening in Gaza City, one of which Israel said targeted al-Haddad. One strike targeted a residential building and another a vehicle. Seven people were killed and dozens of others wounded, according to health officials in the Palestine Red Crescent Society’s Saraya Field Hospital and Shifa hospital, where the casualties were taken
In a statement, Netanyahu and Katz said that al-Haddad was “one of the architects” of the Oct. 7 attack.
Gaza has seen near-daily Israeli fire despite a fragile ceasefire agreement reached in October. More than 850 people have been killed since then, according to the Gaza Health Ministry. The Health Ministry is part of Gaza’s Hamas-run government, but staffed by medical professionals who maintain and publish detailed records, viewed as generally reliable by the international community.
Netanyahu and Katz threatened that Israel will continue to work against all those who took part in the Oct. 7 attack, in which militants killed some 1,200 people and took 251 hostages. Over 72,700 people have been killed in Gaza since Israel launched its offensive in response to Hamas’ 2023 attack.
“Sooner or later, Israel will reach you,” the statement read.
Palestinian citizens reported more airstrikes that followed the one that targeted al-Haddad. It was not immediately clear what the Israeli military was targeting.
Since the shaky ceasefire was reached, both Israel and Hamas have traded accusations of violations. Israel has targeted Hamas members inside the coastal enclave, the last of whom was the son of Hamas’ lead negotiator, Khalil al-Hayya.
Ezzidin reported from Cairo.
Find more of AP’s coverage at https://apnews.com/hub/israel-hamas-war
Palestinians react to a fire following an Israeli strike on a residential building in the Rimal neighborhood of Gaza City, Friday, May 15, 2026. (AP Photo/Jehad Alshrafi)
Palestinians work to extinguish a fire in a vehicle that was hit by an Israeli strike in the Rimal neighborhood of Gaza City, Friday, May 15, 2026. (AP Photo/Jehad Alshrafi)
Palestinians react to a fire following an Israeli strike on a residential building in the Rimal neighborhood of Gaza City, Friday, May 15, 2026. (AP Photo/Jehad Alshrafi)
ROME (AP) — Casper Ruud maintained his focus during a nearly two-hour rain delay to rout home player Luciano Darderi 6-1, 6-1 and reach the Italian Open final for the first time on Friday.
The match was suspended with Ruud leading 4-1 in the first set.
In Sunday’s final on the red clay of the Foro Italico, Ruud will face top-ranked Jannik Sinner or former No. 1 Daniil Medvedev.
Sinner led Medvedev 6-2, 5-7, 4-2 when their semifinal was suspended due to rain. The match will resume on Saturday.
Coco Gauff will play Elina Svitolina in the women’s final on Saturday.
Rome is the last big warmup before the French Open starts in nine days.
Ruud has reached two finals at Roland Garros, losing to Rafael Nadal in 2022 and Novak Djokovic in 2023.
Ruud was once ranked as high as No. 2. He’s now No. 25 but will return to the top 20 on Monday. He has dropped only one set in Rome this year — to Karen Khachanov in the quarterfinals.
The 20th-ranked Darderi, who was born in Argentina to a family of Italian descent, saved four match points in a three-set win over Alexander Zverev in the fourth round then won another marathon match against Rafael Jodar in a quarterfinal that ended at 2 a.m.
After winning the first set easily, Sinner appeared fatigued as Medvedev stepped up his game and started running him around the court with drop shots and groundstrokes to the corners.
After several points, Sinner bent over in apparent exhaustion and leaned on his racket for support.
Sinner came back from a 3-0 deficit in the second only to get broken again in the final game and hand the set to Medvedev.
A bad bounce helped Sinner break Medvedev’s serve early in the third.
Sinner then had his right thigh treated by a trainer midway through the second set.
AP tennis: https://apnews.com/hub/tennis
Italy's Jannik Sinner takes a break as he plays against Daniil Medvedev of Russia during their semifinal match at the Italian Open tennis tournament in Rome, Friday, May 15, 2026. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini))
Italy's Jannik Sinner receives medical treatment during a medical timeout during the semifinal match against Daniil Medvedev of Russia, at the Italian Open tennis tournament in Rome, Friday, May 15, 2026. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini))
Italy's Jannik Sinner celebrates as he plays against Daniil Medvedev of Russia during their semifinal match at the Italian Open tennis tournament in Rome, Friday, May 15, 2026. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)
Daniil Medvedev of Russia returns a ball to Italy's Jannik Sinner during their semifinal match at the Italian Open tennis tournament in Rome, Friday, May 15, 2026. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)
Casper Ruud of Norway returns a ball to Luciano Darderi of Italy during their semifinal match at the Italian Open tennis tournament in Rome, Friday, May 15, 2026. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)
Italy's Jannik Sinner ask to the referee to stop the match because of the rain during the semifinal match against Daniil Medvedev of Russia at the Italian Open tennis tournament in Rome, Friday, May 15, 2026. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini))
