Hamas Confirms Top Commander’s Death in Israeli Strike in Gaza

Hamas has confirmed that a senior commander in Gaza, Raed Saad, was killed in an Israeli military strike. The missile attack, which targeted a car he was traveling in, occurred on Saturday.

The death of Saad marks the most significant assassination of a high-ranking Hamas official since the cease-fire agreement between Israel and the militant group approximately two months ago.

Khalil al-Hayya, a prominent Hamas leader in exile, announced Saad's death during a televised address commemorating the 38th anniversary of Hamas's founding. Al-Hayya stated that the killing was one of several Israeli violations of the cease-fire, actions he believes are jeopardizing the agreement's stability.

Israeli authorities have countered with accusations that Hamas has repeatedly violated the cease-fire as well.

According to Israel, Raed Saad was a senior commander within the Qassam Brigades, Hamas’s armed wing. They claim he was responsible for weapons production and force mobilization. Israeli officials also identified Saad as a key planner of the October 7, 2023, attack on southern Israel, which initiated the ongoing conflict in Gaza.

Hamas released a statement on Saturday asserting that the Israeli military targeted “a civilian car.” Mohammad Abu Salmiya, director of Al Shifa Hospital in Gaza City, reported that four people died in the strike. Saad and the three other individuals who were with him in the car were buried on Sunday.

The Qassam Brigades stated on Sunday that Saad was killed alongside “a number of his jihadi comrades,” suggesting the other fatalities were also members.