Israel on Saturday (December 13, 2025) said it killed a top Hamas commander in Gaza after an explosive device detonated and wounded two soldiers in the territory's south.
Hamas in a statement did not confirm the death of Raed Saad. It said a civilian vehicle had been struck outside Gaza City and asserted it was a violation of the ceasefire that took effect on October 10.
Saad served as the Hamas official in charge of manufacturing and previously led the militant group's operations division. The Israeli statement described him as one of the architects of the October 7, 2023, attack that sparked the war, and said that he had been “engaged in rebuilding the terrorist organisation” in a violation of the ceasefire.
Israel says Hamas 'will be disarmed' after group proposes weapons freeze
The Israeli strike west of Gaza City killed four people, according to an Associated Press journalist who saw their bodies arrive at Shifa Hospital.
