Hamas Commander Raed Saad Confirmed Dead After Israeli Strike, Ceasefire Tensions Rise
Updated (4 articles)
Raed Saad Killed in Israeli Vehicle Strike Israeli forces struck a civilian vehicle west of Gaza City on Dec 13, 2025, killing senior Hamas weapons chief Raed Saad, head of the Qassam Brigades’ manufacturing unit, and several passengers[1][4]. Hamas later confirmed the attack but initially withheld confirmation of Saad’s death, later acknowledging his loss on Dec 14[1]. Israel’s military and Defense Minister Yoav Katz announced the operation as a targeted retaliation for an explosive device that wounded two Israeli soldiers earlier that day[2][3].
Four Civilians Killed, Three Injured in the Blast Hospital reports from Shifa and Al‑Awda confirmed four civilian fatalities and three injuries resulting from the vehicle strike[1][2]. Hamas‑run Civil Defence spokesman Mahmoud Basal identified the dead as Saad’s aide and a lower‑ranking member, Abu Imad al‑Laban, alongside three non‑combatants[4]. The casualties underscore the high civilian toll since the Oct 10, 2023 ceasefire, which Palestinian health officials say has already caused over 380 Palestinian deaths[2][3].
Ceasefire Violations Fuel New Escalation Israel accused Hamas of breaching the ceasefire by detonating the device that wounded its soldiers, while Hamas labeled the Israeli strike itself a ceasefire violation[2][3]. Both sides have exchanged accusations of repeated breaches, with Israeli airstrikes killing at least 386 Palestinians since the truce began, according to Palestinian health data[2]. The incident follows a pattern of failed attempts to capture or kill Saad, including a March 2024 raid that allowed him to escape[4].
Israel Ties Hostage Remains to Next Ceasefire Phase Israeli officials reiterated that the return of the remains of the last Israeli hostage, Ran Gvili, is a prerequisite for advancing to the “second and more complicated phase” of the ceasefire, which envisions ending Hamas rule and establishing a demilitarized Gaza under international supervision[1][2]. This demand adds diplomatic pressure to the already volatile security situation. The overall Gaza death toll reported by the Hamas‑run Palestinian Health Ministry now exceeds 70,660 Palestinians, half of whom are women and children[1].
Sources
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1.
AP: Hamas Confirms Death of Top Commander Raed Saad After Israeli Strike: Reports Hamas’ Dec 14 confirmation of Saad’s death, civilian casualties, ceasefire breach claims, and Israel’s demand for Ran Gvili’s remains.
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2.
AP: Israel Claims Killing of Hamas Commander Raed Saad Amid Ceasefire Tensions: Details Israel’s Dec 13 announcement of Saad’s death, civilian vehicle strike, ceasefire casualty figures, and hostage‑remain condition.
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3.
Newsweek: Israel Ordered Assassination of Hamas Leader in Gaza Strike, Netanyahu Says: Highlights Netanyahu and Defense Minister Katz’s direct order, Saad’s role, Hamas’s partial confirmation, and the Trump‑backed ceasefire framework.
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4.
BBC: Israel kills senior Hamas weapons chief in Gaza vehicle strike: Describes the strike’s location on the Palestinian side of the Yellow Line, four fatalities including Saad’s aide, and his historic involvement in Oct 7 attacks.
Timeline
Oct 7, 2023 – Hamas launches a coordinated assault on Israeli communities east of Gaza City, killing dozens of soldiers; Israeli officials later identify Ra ed Saad as a key planner of the attack[1].
Oct 10, 2023 – A US‑led ceasefire takes effect, pausing major hostilities while negotiations continue; Hamas forms a five‑member military council that includes Saad to coordinate activities under the truce[1].
Mar 2024 – Israeli forces carry out a surprise operation in Gaza City aimed at arresting or killing Ra ed Saad, but he escapes moments before the raid, underscoring his high‑value status[1].
2025 (early) – Former President Donald Trump brokers a 20‑point ceasefire framework that receives United Nations Security Council backing, shaping the diplomatic environment for later operations[2].
Dec 13, 2025 – Israeli military and Shin Bet strike a vehicle on the Palestinian side of the Yellow Line in Gaza City, killing four civilians and wounding several; Israel announces the death of senior Hamas weapons chief Ra ed Saad, and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu states, “Hamas violated the ceasefire by detonating an explosive device that wounded our soldiers,” after he and Defense Minister Yoav Katz order the assassination[1][2][4].
Dec 13, 2025 – Hamas issues a statement condemning the strike as “a violation of the cease‑fire” and does not confirm Saad’s death, describing the target as a civilian vehicle[4].
Dec 14, 2025 – Hamas confirms that Ra ed Saad, head of its military manufacturing unit, was killed in the Israeli strike west of Gaza City, acknowledging four civilian deaths and three injuries, while Israeli officials reiterate that Saad was a key architect of the Oct 7 attack[3].
Dec 14, 2025 – Israeli officials say the return of the remains of the last hostage, Ran Gvili, is a prerequisite for advancing to the “second and more complicated phase” of the ceasefire, which envisions ending Hamas rule and establishing a demilitarized Gaza under international supervision[3][4].
Future (post‑Dec 2025) – The “second phase” of the ceasefire is expected to commence once Israel receives Gvili’s remains, marking a shift toward a demilitarized Gaza and broader peace implementation[3][4].