Israel says senior Hamas commander Raed Saed killed in Gaza strike

The Israeli military said Raed Saed, described as one of the architects of the October 7, 2023 attacks on Israel, was killed on Saturday when a vehicle was hit in Gaza City.

Israeli officials said the strike followed an earlier incident in which an explosive device injured two Israeli soldiers.

In a joint statement, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defence Minister Israel Katz said Saed was targeted in response to that attack. An Israeli military official described him as a high-ranking Hamas member who played a central role in establishing and expanding the group’s weapons production network.

According to the Israeli military, Saed had recently been involved in efforts to rebuild Hamas’ military capabilities and resume weapons manufacturing, actions Israel says violated the ceasefire agreement.

Gaza health authorities said the strike on the car killed five people and wounded at least 25 others. There was no immediate confirmation from Hamas or medical officials that Saed was among those killed.

Hamas sources have previously described Saed as the second-in-command of the group’s armed wing, behind Izz eldeen Al-Hadad, and as a former head of the Gaza City battalion, one of Hamas’ largest and best-equipped units.

Hamas issued a statement condemning the strike as a breach of the ceasefire agreement but did not confirm Saed’s status or threaten immediate retaliation.

The ceasefire, which came into effect on October 10, has allowed large numbers of displaced Palestinians to return to heavily damaged areas of Gaza City. Israeli forces have withdrawn from some urban positions and aid deliveries have increased.

Despite the truce, violence has continued. Palestinian health authorities say at least 386 people have been killed in Israeli strikes since the ceasefire began, while Israel says three of its soldiers have been killed in the same period and that it has continued to target armed fighters.

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