Israel Says Senior Hamas Commander Killed in Gaza Strike
Strike Targets Key Hamas Figure
CAIRO/JERUSALEM — Israel’s military said on Saturday that it had killed senior Hamas commander Raed Saed in an airstrike on a vehicle in Gaza City. Israeli officials described Saed as one of the main planners behind the October 7, 2023 attacks on Israel.
The killing marks the most significant assassination of a senior Hamas figure since a ceasefire agreement in Gaza came into force in October.
Israeli Officials Cite Security Threat
In a joint statement, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defence Minister Israel Katz said Israel carried out the strike in response to a Hamas attack earlier on Saturday. That incident involved an explosive device that wounded two Israeli soldiers.
Israeli military sources said Saed played a central role in building and expanding Hamas’ weapons production network. They added that, in recent months, he had worked to restore the group’s military capabilities, which Israel described as a clear violation of the ceasefire agreement.
Civilian Casualties Reported
According to Gaza health authorities, the strike on the vehicle killed five people and injured at least 25 others. However, Hamas and medical officials did not immediately confirm whether Saed was among those killed.
Hamas sources have previously identified Saed as the second-in-command of the group’s armed wing, ranking just below Izz el-Deen al-Hadad.
Hamas Condemns Strike
Hamas said the attack breached the ceasefire deal, further raising tensions at a time when the truce remains fragile.
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