Israel killed a senior Hamas commander in Gaza on Saturday, the Israeli military said, another challenge to the shaky ceasefire between the sides brokered by the United States.
The commander, Raed Saad, headed operations and production for Hamas’s armed wing, the Izzedine al-Qassam Brigades, according to the European Council on Foreign Relations. His death marked the most significant assassination in Gaza since the ceasefire began two months ago.
Hamas said Israeli warplanes had targeted a “civilian vehicle west of Gaza City” in “blatant violation” of the ceasefire but did not name any victims. In a statement Sunday, Hamas chief Khalil al-Hayya confirmed Saad’s death, describing him as a senior commander of the organization and adding that he had been killed alongside others.
The Israel Defense Forces said Saad had recently “operated to reestablish Hamas’ capabilities and weapons manufacturing, a blatant violation of the ceasefire.”
“Ra’ad Sa’ad was heavily involved in planning the Oct 7th Massacre, and was now leading the way in Hamas’ efforts to re-arm and do it again,” Lt. Col. Nadav Shoshani, an IDF spokesman, posted on X.
“His actions were a severe and dangerous violation of the ceasefire agreement. The IDF eliminating him, in the most precise way, is part of the agreement that promises — no more of Hamas’ terror.”
The IDF had previously targeted Saad in a June 2024 strike, Israeli media reported.
Pressure is building on Israel to move the Gaza truce to its second, more complicated phase, which in theory would include the disarmament of Hamas, the withdrawal of Israeli troops from the territory and the creation of an international force to maintain security.
But its first phase — the release of hostages by Hamas, the withdrawal of Israeli forces to an agreed-upon portion of Gaza and the facilitation of aid into the territory — has proved difficult to implement.
Each side has accused the other of not fulfilling its commitments. Israel says Hamas has been slow to return the bodies of hostages, one of which remains in Gaza. Hamas points to the continued closure of border crossings for medical evacuations and aid and daily Israeli fire on Gaza.
Israel said Saturday that killing Saad didn’t violate the ceasefire because the agreement allows it “to strike targets actively engaged in terrorism.”
In a joint statement, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz said the strike was retaliation for the detonation of an explosive device Saturday that injured Israeli troops in Gaza. The IDF said earlier Saturday that two troops were “lightly injured.”
Siham Shamalakh contributed to this report.
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