Israel Kills Senior Hamas Commander in Ceasefire Breach/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Israel confirmed the killing of top Hamas commander Raed Saad in Gaza following an explosion that wounded two Israeli soldiers. The strike comes amid ongoing accusations of ceasefire violations from both sides. Over 70,000 Palestinians have been killed since the war began in 2023, according to Gaza health authorities.
Gaza Conflict Quick Looks
- Israel says it killed senior Hamas official Raed Saad.
- Strike followed explosion that injured two Israeli soldiers.
- Hamas has not confirmed Saad’s death but condemned the strike.
- Israeli military claims Saad helped plan October 7, 2023 attacks.
- Four killed in strike near Gaza City, three others wounded.
- Ceasefire violations continue despite truce announced on Oct. 10.
- Over 70,650 Palestinians have died in Gaza since 2023, per health officials.
- Israel demands return of hostage remains as condition for truce’s next phase.
- Large portions of Gaza remain destroyed; medical aid and evacuations delayed.
- Hamas and Israel accuse each other of breaching ceasefire terms.
Deep Look: Israeli Military Claims Killing of Hamas Commander Raed Saad in Gaza
JERUSALEM — Dec. 13, 2025 — The Israeli military announced Saturday that it has killed Raed Saad, a senior Hamas commander, in a targeted airstrike in Gaza. The operation follows the detonation of an explosive device that injured two Israeli soldiers in southern Gaza, reigniting tensions despite the October 10 ceasefire still technically in effect.
According to Israel, Saad was a top-ranking Hamas official, responsible for weapons manufacturing and formerly head of the militant group’s operations division. The military described him as one of the key architects behind the deadly October 7, 2023 attack, which claimed the lives of over 1,200 Israelis and launched a devastating war in Gaza.
Disputed Death and Ceasefire Tensions
Hamas has not officially confirmed Saad’s death. In a statement, the group claimed that a civilian vehicle was struck west of Gaza City in what it called a blatant violation of the truce. An Associated Press journalist on the scene reported that four bodies arrived at Shifa Hospital following the strike, and three others were wounded, according to nearby Al-Awda Hospital.
The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) countered that Saad had violated the terms of the ceasefire by helping rebuild Hamas’ operational structure in Gaza. The military has consistently maintained that recent strikes are retaliatory actions against Hamas aggression, particularly roadside bombings and attacks targeting Israeli patrols.
Mounting Palestinian Death Toll
The Gaza Health Ministry, run under the Hamas government, reports that at least 386 Palestinians have been killed since the ceasefire took hold. Israeli strikes and gunfire, according to health officials, are a persistent threat along the “Yellow Line,” a buffer dividing Israeli-controlled Gaza from the rest of the territory.
Since the war began in 2023, over 70,650 Palestinians have died, the majority of them women and children. While Israel contends that many of the dead are militants, Gaza’s Health Ministry does not distinguish between combatants and civilians in its official counts. Despite Hamas oversight, international observers have generally considered the ministry’s figures credible and based on detailed medical records.
Hostage Dispute and Ceasefire Phase Two
A key sticking point in ceasefire implementation remains the return of hostage remains, particularly that of Ran Gvili, believed to be the final captive held by Hamas. Israel has made the return of all remains a condition for moving to the next phase of the truce, which includes a comprehensive roadmap for demilitarizing Gaza, rebuilding the region, and ending Hamas rule under international supervision.
While most hostages have been freed or returned in recent exchange agreements, the remains of several Israeli citizens are still believed to be held within Gaza.
Humanitarian Crisis Deepens
The destruction in Gaza remains catastrophic. Massive airstrikes and ground incursions have flattened entire neighborhoods, leaving more than 2 million residents displaced and facing food, water, and medical shortages. Entry of humanitarian aid remains well below the minimum thresholds set by ceasefire agreements.
Palestinians who lost limbs in the conflict report long waits for prosthetics, and medical evacuations for urgent care outside Gaza are facing severe delays.
“The humanitarian situation in Gaza is spiraling,” said a spokesperson for a UN relief agency. “Aid is restricted, medical infrastructure is collapsing, and displaced families are struggling to survive.”
Ongoing Accusations
Both Israel and Hamas continue to accuse each other of ceasefire violations, threatening to derail a fragile truce already stretched thin. The international community has called on both sides to de-escalate and return to compliance, warning that a renewed cycle of violence would undo months of negotiation.
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