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]
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]
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.
On 4 December 2023, IDF claimed to have killed Khuwajari in an airstrike near Shati Refugee camp. [6]
During the 2025 Gaza war ceasefire, 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]