Israeli forces killed senior Hamas commander Raad Saad in a targeted airstrike in Gaza over the weekend, eliminating a figure described as "one of the architects" of the October 7 massacre.
The Israeli Defence Forces confirmed the strike in a joint statement with the Israel Security Agency, announcing they had "eliminated the head of the weapons production headquarters of Hamas' military wing".
Saad was travelling in a vehicle along the Rashid coastal road when the strike occurred. Video footage released by Israeli authorities showed the car exploding.
Palestinian media reported four people died in the attack, with more than 20 wounded.
Israeli officials consider Saad among the last senior Hamas military commanders still operating within Gaza. He served as deputy to the group's current military chief, Izz al-Din Haddad.
Saad had risen through Hamas's ranks over decades, holding numerous leadership positions within the militant group's armed wing, the Qassam Brigades.
He founded the Gaza City Brigade and played a central role in establishing Hamas's naval force.
The commander later took charge of the group's operations headquarters before being appointed to lead weapons manufacturing.
Israeli forces killed senior Hamas commander Raad Saad in a targeted airstrike in Gaza over the weekend
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In this final role, Saad oversaw the production of armaments both before the October 7 attacks and during subsequent efforts to restore capabilities throughout the conflict.
Israeli authorities stated that explosive devices manufactured under his direction were responsible for killing numerous IDF soldiers during combat operations in Gaza.
Saad had evaded multiple Israeli assassination attempts, including one in June 2024. He reportedly escaped an Israeli raid on Gaza City's Shifa Hospital in March that year.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defence Minister Israel Katz personally authorised the operation targeting Saad.
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The Gaza ceasefire came into effect on October 10 | REUTERS/DAWOUD ABU ALKASThe strike came in response to an improvised explosive device detonation in Gaza that injured two Israeli soldiers.
Israel did not inform US President Donald Trump's administration before carrying out the attack.
In a joint statement, Netanyahu and Katz said Saad "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 Trump's plan".
The IDF accused Hamas of repeated attempts to attack Israeli forces using explosive devices in recent weeks, actions it said breached the ceasefire agreement.
Saad's operational expertise proved instrumental in planning the October 7 assault. He helped establish the elite Nukhba Force, which spearheaded the invasion of southern Israel.
As operations chief, he contributed to developing the "Jericho Wall" plan, which Israeli authorities say formed the basis for the attack on the IDF's Gaza Division.
The commander's elimination threatens to further destabilise the already fragile truce between Israel and Hamas.
Since the US-brokered ceasefire took effect two months ago, violence has continued on both sides. Palestinian health officials report Israeli attacks have killed nearly 400 people during this period, whilst Israel says three of its soldiers have died in combat.
The October 7 attacks more than two years ago killed approximately 1,200 people and saw roughly 250 taken hostage.
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