Haitham Khuwajari
Haitham Khuwajari | |
|---|---|
| هيثم الحواجري | |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance | Hamas |
| Branch/service | Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades |
| Rank | Commander |
| Commands | Shati Battalion |
| Battles/wars | |
Haitham Khuwajari (Arabic: هيثم الحواجري), is a senior military commander in the Al-Qassam Brigades, the armed wing of Hamas. He leads the Shati Battalion which is active in Gaza’s Shati refugee camp.[1][2]
Early life
Little is publicly known about Khuwajari's early life. He rose through the ranks of the al‑Qassam Brigades to become the commander of the Shati Battalion, which is operating within Gaza’s Shati refugee camp.[3]
Militant Career
According to IDF, Khuwajari participated and Commanded attacks inside Israel during the October 7 attacks.[4]
He also oversaw Hamas activity and security coordination within the Al‑Shifa Hospital during the war.[5]
He is identified as the Seven of Hearts in the Hamas most wanted playing cards.
Assassination attempt
On 4th December 2023, IDF claimed to have killed Khuwajari in an airstrike near Shati Refugee camp.[6]
During the 2025 Israel hostage deal, many media sources confirmed Khuwajari was alive, participating publicly in the hostage exchange in Gaza’s port, handing over American-Israeli hostage Keith Siegel. The IDF subsequently acknowledged its claim had been incorrect.[7][8]
See also
References
- ^ "IDF eliminates Hamas commander of Shati Battalion, Haitham Khuwajari". Jerusalem Post. Retrieved 11 June 2025.
- ^ "Hamas commander reported dead allegedly alive, media claims". Caliber.Az. Retrieved 11 June 2025.
- ^ "Israel airstrike wipes out senior Hamas commander who helped launch October 7 attack". Daily Express. Retrieved 11 June 2025.
- ^ "IDF eliminates Hamas commander of Shati Battalion, Haitham Khuwajari". Jerusalem Post. Retrieved 11 June 2025.
- ^ "Israel expands offensive into southern Gaza". Long War Journal. Retrieved 11 June 2025.
- ^ "IDF eliminates commander of Hamas' Shati Battalion". Israel National News. Retrieved 11 June 2025.
- ^ "Israel releases Palestinian prisoners after Hamas frees three more hostages". France24. Retrieved 11 June 2025.
- ^ "Hamas commander reported dead allegedly alive, media claims". Caliber.Az. Retrieved 11 June 2025.
