Major Strike in Gaza: Israel Targets High-Profile Hamas Commander

Mon Dec 15 2025 11:59:41 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

Amid rising tensions, Israel reports the successful targeting of Raed Saad, a senior Hamas commander, in a recent airstrike in Gaza. This operation is part of Israel's ongoing military efforts against Hamas amid the ongoing conflict.

In a tactical airstrike, Israel claims to have killed Raed Saad, a prominent commander of Hamas's military wing, the Qassam Brigades, in Gaza City. The strike reportedly resulted in four fatalities, including Saad's aide. The incident underscores the escalating violence and the complexities surrounding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict post-ceasefire efforts.

Israel said it killed a senior Hamas commander on Saturday in a strike on a vehicle inside Gaza.

In a joint statement, the Israeli military and security agency Shin Bet announced it had 'eliminated' Raed Saad, the head of weapons production for Hamas's military wing, the Qassam Brigades, in Gaza city.

Saad had been regarded as one of the most prominent Qassam commanders and led several brigades during Hamas's 7 October attacks on Israeli communities east of Gaza City.

The Hamas-run Civil Defence spokesman, Mahmoud Basal, told the BBC that four people were killed in the strike. He said multiple passers-by were also injured by the blast.

A local Hamas official in Gaza confirmed that the strike also killed Saad's aide and another lower-ranking official identified as Abu Imad al-Laban.

The IDF and ISA joint statement added that Saad had been 'responsible for the deaths of many soldiers' killed in the Gaza Strip as the result of explosive devices.

Saad is believed to be a member of the newly formed five-member leadership military council established since a ceasefire took hold in October and has long been considered one of Israel's most wanted Hamas figures.

Notably, Israeli efforts to neutralize Saad have spanned over two decades, including multiple attempts that have previously proven unsuccessful.

Saturday's attack took place on the Palestinian-controlled side of the so-called Yellow Line which has divided Gaza since an unstable US-led ceasefire was initiated on 10 October.

Reports indicate that more than 70,000 Palestinians have been reported killed as a result of ongoing military actions by Israel since the recent conflict began.

The diplomatic focus now shifts towards future peace plans which include disarmament efforts towards Hamas and the establishment of a new Palestinian governance structure.