IDF Eliminates Hamas Northern Brigade Commander Izz al-Din Bik in Gaza

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) and the Shin Bet security agency announced the elimination of Izz al-Din Bik, the commander of Hamas's northern Gaza brigade, in an overnight operation on Tuesday, September 29. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz had previously announced the operation. According to the IDF and Shin Bet, Bik assumed command of the brigade after the previous commander, Ahmad Gandour, was eliminated, having previously served as the brigade's intelligence chief. Israeli security forces stated that Bik directed militants, planned attacks against IDF soldiers and Israeli civilians, and worked to restore the brigade's operational capacity after significant wartime losses. The IDF and Shin Bet described Bik as a direct threat to Israeli military personnel and citizens, calling the strike that killed him a "precision strike."

Netanyahu and Katz also reported that Bik was involved in recruiting new militants. They commended the IDF and Shin Bet for the operation and affirmed Israel's ongoing commitment to pursuing Hamas commanders and operatives. Bik, born in 1981, joined Hamas's military wing around 2000 and rose through the ranks, eventually leading the northern brigade's intelligence division before taking command after Gandour's death in November 2023.

This was not the first attempt to eliminate Bik. In late May 2026, he was targeted in an Israeli strike in Gaza City. Initial reports suggested he died alongside another Hamas commander, Imad Aslim, but it was later confirmed Bik survived, while Aslim was eliminated. Reports indicate Bik had evaded assassination attempts multiple times previously, with the last near miss occurring approximately four months prior to this operation. While the IDF and Shin Bet did not disclose details about the strike, including the number of missiles fired, sources in Gaza reported that Bik was in a safe house in the An-Nasr neighborhood when two missiles were fired into his room, with additional missiles targeting other areas to prevent his escape. These sources also claimed he had previously survived assassination attempts, most recently about four months ago. Hamas-affiliated sources stated Bik died in an apartment strike near the Al-Lababidi intersection in An-Nasr, along with another individual, with several others injured. Separate reports mentioned one fatality from a strike on Salah al-Din Street in Dir al-Balah. The Israeli military has not yet confirmed these details regarding Bik's location or other casualties.