Senior Hamas Military Commander Ra'ad Sa'ad Eliminated in Israeli Airstrike for October 7 Attack Involvement

The IDF reported that Sa'ad was directly involved in breaching the cease-fire agreement.

A high-ranking Hamas military commander, described by Israeli authorities as "one of the architects" behind the October 7 massacre, was eliminated in an Israeli airstrike in Gaza on Saturday.

The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) identified the target as Ra'ad Sa'ad, a senior official in Hamas' military wing, the Qassam Brigades.

According to the IDF, Sa'ad was involved in efforts to "restore and manufacture the group's weapons" and served as the head of Hamas' weapons production headquarters. Israeli officials indicated he was considered second-in-command to Hamas' current military leader, Izz al-Din Haddad.

In a joint statement, the IDF and the Israel Security Agency (ISA) confirmed, "The IDF and ISA eliminated the head of the weapons production headquarters of Hamas' military wing and one of the architects of the brutal October 7th massacre."

The military stated the strike occurred on December 13. Footage released by Israel showed an exploding vehicle, which officials confirmed was carrying Sa'ad. An Israeli official informed media outlets that Sa'ad was killed alongside three others while traveling on the Rashid coastal road. He was believed to be among the few remaining senior Hamas military commanders still operating within Gaza.

In its statement, the IDF claimed Hamas had made "repeated attempts, including the use of explosive devices, in recent weeks to attack Israeli forces." These actions violated the cease-fire agreement, they stated. The military further noted they had identified efforts by Hamas to rebuild its operational capabilities.

"The terrorist Ra'ad Sa'ad, who was eliminated in this strike, led Hamas' force build-up, and his elimination significantly degrades Hamas' ability to reestablish its capabilities," the IDF stated.

Israeli officials characterized Sa'ad as one of the most senior and experienced Hamas commanders remaining in Gaza. His previous leadership roles included establishing and commanding the Gaza City Brigade and helping develop Hamas' naval force. He subsequently served as head of Hamas' operations headquarters, where he helped establish the Nukhba Battalions and participated in developing the "Jericho Wall" plan, which Israeli authorities claim formed the foundation for the October 7 attacks.

Following these roles, Sa'ad was appointed head of Hamas' weapons production headquarters, overseeing weapons manufacturing before October 7 and later directing efforts to restore weapons production during the war. Israel claims explosive devices produced under his leadership caused the deaths of numerous Israeli soldiers during combat operations in Gaza.

The IDF stated Sa'ad was directly involved in violating the cease-fire agreement and continued weapons production even after the truce took effect. "Hamas' weapon production apparatus is responsible for manufacturing weapons for the organisation's military wing," the statement noted, adding that Israeli forces would continue operations against Hamas.

According to The Times of Israel, Israel did not notify the Trump administration in advance of the strike.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office stated that Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz authorized the strike following an earlier incident where an improvised explosive device detonated in Gaza, injuring two Israeli soldiers.

In a joint statement to The NY Post, the two officials said Sa'ad "was one of the architects of the October 7 massacre and in recent days had been engaged in restoring the terror organization and in planning and carrying out attacks against Israel, as well as rebuilding an attack force, in blatant violation of the cease-fire rules and Hamas's commitments to respect President [Donald] Trump's plan."

The strike follows a US-brokered cease-fire agreement reached in October. Israel reports three of its soldiers have been killed since the cease-fire began two months ago, while the Palestinian Ministry of Health indicates that nearly 400 Palestinians have been killed during the same period. On October 7, 2023, Hamas killed approximately 1,200 people and captured roughly 250 hostages. Since then, Israel's continued bombing campaign in the narrow strip has resulted in more than 70,600 Palestinian deaths and over 170,000 injuries, according to the Gaza Health Ministry.