Raed Saad Killed Hamas Commander Dies in Israeli Strike

Raed Saad killed in an Israeli airstrike in Gaza, raising tensions as Hamas accuses Israel of violating the October ceasefire and blocking humanitarian aid.
Hamas has confirmed that its senior commander, Raed Saad, was killed in an Israeli airstrike in Gaza, marking the highest-profile assassination since the October ceasefire. The attack has sparked renewed tensions as both sides navigate the fragile truce.

Israeli Strike Targets Senior Hamas Leader

The Israeli military announced that it targeted Raed Saad near Gaza City on Saturday. At least 25 people were injured in the strike. Saad, described by Israel as the head of Hamas’s weapons-manufacturing operations, was reportedly instrumental in planning attacks against Israel, including the October 7, 2023, assault.

Hamas’s Gaza chief, Khalil al-Hayya, confirmed the killing in a video statement, calling Israel’s attack a violation of the ceasefire agreement.

“We urge mediators, particularly the US administration, to ensure Israel respects the ceasefire and implements its terms,” al-Hayya said.

Ceasefire Violations and Humanitarian Crisis

Since the ceasefire on October 10, 2025, Israel has conducted nearly 800 attacks in Gaza, killing at least 386 people according to local authorities. In addition, the blockade has restricted the flow of essential humanitarian aid, leaving hundreds of thousands of Palestinians vulnerable, especially after Storm Byron, which damaged tens of thousands of shelters.

The United Nations General Assembly recently passed a resolution demanding Israel allow unrestricted humanitarian access and comply with international law as an occupying power.

Phase Two of the Ceasefire: Challenges Ahead

The October truce includes a phased approach:

1. Phase One – Humanitarian aid access and infrastructure rehabilitation.
2. Phase Two – Palestinian disarmament, Israeli withdrawal, and formal end to hostilities.

Al-Hayya emphasized that the role of any international peacekeeping force must be limited to maintaining the ceasefire and separating the sides at Gaza’s borders. Hamas rejects external control over Gaza but remains committed to the agreement.

Hamas Perspective on Disarmament

Hamas leaders abroad, including Khaled Meshaal, are negotiating with the US over the second phase of the ceasefire. While the group is open to discussions on freezing or storing weapons, it opposes international forces controlling its disarmament.

Basem Naim, another senior Hamas official, clarified:

“We welcome a UN presence to monitor borders and prevent escalations, but they will have no authority over Palestinian territory.”

Hamas aims to ensure long-term guarantees that conflict with Israel does not resume while preserving its control over local affairs.

What This Means for Gaza and the Region

The assassination of Raed Saad underscores the fragile nature of the current truce. Both sides face difficult negotiations over disarmament, humanitarian access, and long-term peace guarantees. Analysts suggest that without robust enforcement mechanisms, violations of the ceasefire could continue, risking a return to large-scale conflict.