Gaza City – December 13, 2025: The Israeli military says it has killed senior Hamas commander Raed Saad in an operation near Gaza City. Gaza health authorities report that the strike killed five people and wounded at least 25 others, though Hamas has not confirmed Saad’s death.

Details of the Strike

The attack occurred on Saturday at the Nabulsi junction in western Gaza City. According to Israeli officials, Raed Saad was targeted due to his role in rebuilding Hamas’s capabilities, which have been severely depleted after more than two years of conflict.

An Israeli defence official described Saad as the head of Hamas’s weapons manufacturing force and one of the key planners of the October 7, 2023, attacks on Israel. Hamas sources have also identified him as second-in-command of the group’s armed wing, after Izz al-Din al-Haddad.

Saad previously led Hamas’s Gaza City battalion, one of the group’s largest and best-equipped units.

Hamas Response

Hamas issued a statement denying confirmation of Saad’s death. The group said a civilian vehicle was struck and condemned the attack as a violation of the ceasefire that took effect in October.

Ongoing Tensions in Gaza

Since the ceasefire began, Israel has continued frequent airstrikes on Gaza, which Gaza authorities say have occurred nearly 800 times, killing at least 386 people. Israel also continues to restrict aid access into the enclave, aggravating the humanitarian crisis.

The United Nations General Assembly recently passed a resolution demanding that Israel allow unrestricted humanitarian aid, cease attacks on UN facilities, and comply with international law as the occupying power.

If confirmed, Raed Saad’s death would mark the highest-profile Hamas assassination since the ceasefire agreement.