Israel's military has confirmed the death of Saeed Izadi, a senior Iranian commander allegedly linked to the planning of the Hamas attack that occurred on October 7, 2023. This operation took place early Saturday morning in Qom, south of Tehran, as the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) characterized the event as a critical development in the ongoing conflict. IDF chief Eyal Zamir labeled Izadi as one of the main architects behind the attack, which resulted in approximately 1,200 fatalities and numerous Israeli hostages taken into Gaza. He stated, "The blood of thousands of Israelis is on his hands.”
While there has been no official confirmation from Iran regarding Izadi's death, the Iranian government has consistently denied any involvement in the operations of Hamas. The IDF reported that Izadi was managing the Palestine Corps of the Quds Force, an arm of the Iranian Revolutionary Guards that is tasked with overseeing relations with Palestinian armed factions. His role involved not only logistical support but also financing Hamas’s militant activities.
In a preceding incident, Izadi survived an Israeli airstrike in April 2024 that targeted a consulate in Damascus, which led to the deaths of several senior Quds Force officials. Additionally, the IDF claimed that another Quds Force commander, Behnam Shahriyari, was eliminated in a drone strike while traversing western Iran. Shahriyari was reportedly engaged in the transportation of missiles to Iranian proxy groups notably Hamas and Hezbollah in Lebanon.
These targeted strikes come as hostilities between Iran and Israel have escalated, entering a ninth day, with both nations engaging in reciprocal attacks. Iran stated its facilities, including one linked to its nuclear program near Isfahan, were under Israeli assault, while Israel claimed to have struck military installations within Iran.
Iran’s Foreign Minister, Abbas Araghchi, condemned any potential U.S. involvement in the conflict as extremely perilous and stressed the nation would refrain from resuming nuclear negotiations until Israeli strikes cease. Meanwhile, former President Donald Trump suggested that the U.S. could intervene and warned Iran of looming airstrikes if negotiations over its nuclear endeavors were not pursued within a two-week timeframe.
The human toll of the conflict continues to rise, with Iranian officials reporting at least 430 deaths, including military personnel, since escalating violence erupted on June 13, with human rights organizations estimating the casualties to be even higher. In Israel, the reported casualties stand at 25, including one individual who suffered a heart attack amidst the turmoil.
While there has been no official confirmation from Iran regarding Izadi's death, the Iranian government has consistently denied any involvement in the operations of Hamas. The IDF reported that Izadi was managing the Palestine Corps of the Quds Force, an arm of the Iranian Revolutionary Guards that is tasked with overseeing relations with Palestinian armed factions. His role involved not only logistical support but also financing Hamas’s militant activities.
In a preceding incident, Izadi survived an Israeli airstrike in April 2024 that targeted a consulate in Damascus, which led to the deaths of several senior Quds Force officials. Additionally, the IDF claimed that another Quds Force commander, Behnam Shahriyari, was eliminated in a drone strike while traversing western Iran. Shahriyari was reportedly engaged in the transportation of missiles to Iranian proxy groups notably Hamas and Hezbollah in Lebanon.
These targeted strikes come as hostilities between Iran and Israel have escalated, entering a ninth day, with both nations engaging in reciprocal attacks. Iran stated its facilities, including one linked to its nuclear program near Isfahan, were under Israeli assault, while Israel claimed to have struck military installations within Iran.
Iran’s Foreign Minister, Abbas Araghchi, condemned any potential U.S. involvement in the conflict as extremely perilous and stressed the nation would refrain from resuming nuclear negotiations until Israeli strikes cease. Meanwhile, former President Donald Trump suggested that the U.S. could intervene and warned Iran of looming airstrikes if negotiations over its nuclear endeavors were not pursued within a two-week timeframe.
The human toll of the conflict continues to rise, with Iranian officials reporting at least 430 deaths, including military personnel, since escalating violence erupted on June 13, with human rights organizations estimating the casualties to be even higher. In Israel, the reported casualties stand at 25, including one individual who suffered a heart attack amidst the turmoil.
