BySHIR PERETS

Hamas has named Mohammed Ouda as the new leader of the Izzadin al-Qassam Brigades, its military wing, following the assassination of Izz ad-Din al-Haddad, London-based Saudi state-owned outlet Asharq al-Awsat reported on Monday.

Ouda served as head of military intelligence for the Qassam Brigades during the October 7 massacre.

Ouda was reportedly offered the role of military head after the assassination of Mohammed Sinwar in May 2025, but turned it down.

He was selected for the role in part because he is one of the last remaining council members who had an active role in planning and supervising the October 7 attack.

Palestinian Hamas terrorists stand guard on the day of the handover of hostages held in Gaza since the deadly October 7 2023 attack, as part of a ceasefire and a hostages-prisoners swap deal between Hamas and Israel, in Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip, February 22, 2025.
Palestinian Hamas terrorists stand guard on the day of the handover of hostages held in Gaza since the deadly October 7 2023 attack, as part of a ceasefire and a hostages-prisoners swap deal between Hamas and Israel, in Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip, February 22, 2025. (credit: REUTERS/Hatem Khaled)

One of Hamas's last living core council members

According to the Saudi outlet, the only remaining member of Hamas’s core council is home front commander Imad Aqel, who did not participate in the attack.

Ouda formerly served under Mohammed Deif, and his work with Hamas began around the First Intifada that broke out in 1987. Deif was head of the Qassam Brigades during the October 7 Massacre and was assassinated by Israel in 2024.

Ouda has survived several assassination attempts, before and after the current war, but during most attempts, he was not at the location targeted.