Gaza Conflict: Israel Kills Hamas Commander Raed Saad in Airstrike

The Gaza Strip once again echoed with explosions after Israel carried out an airstrike on Saturday (December 13, 2025), targeting senior Hamas commander Raed Saad. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) claimed that Saad was actively involved in rebuilding Hamas’ military capabilities, a direct violation of the recently agreed ceasefire.
The strike took place on Rashid Road in Gaza City, where a moving car was directly hit by a missile.

Israeli Operation

The Israeli military carried out the operation at around 10 p.m. An airstrike on a car traveling along Rashid Road resulted in the deaths of four people, while more than 20 others were injured. Local sources in Gaza said that three of those killed were believed to be Saad’s bodyguards.

The Israel Defense Forces later released a short video confirming the strike, stating, “Our jets have successfully eliminated senior Hamas commander Raed Saad in Gaza City.”
The IDF added that the attack was carried out in response to a bombing incident in southern Gaza on Friday, in which two Israeli reserve soldiers were injured.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz said in a joint statement that the operation was necessary for security. “We will not allow Hamas to rearm under any circumstances,” Netanyahu said.

Israeli Intelligence Reports

Raed Saad was considered Hamas’ second-in-command. He was the most influential figure after the new head of the military wing, Izz al-Din Haddad. According to Israeli intelligence reports, Saad was the key planner behind the “Jericho Walls Operation” carried out on October 7, 2023 — the attack that triggered the full-scale war between Hamas and Israel.

Saad was responsible for building the Gaza City Brigade, establishing a naval unit, and overseeing the weapons production program. Under his leadership, missiles and drones were developed that repeatedly struck Israeli targets. He was believed to be close to Hamas founder Sheikh Ahmed Yassin, military chief Mohammed Deif, and the late deputy leader Marwan Issa.

Over the past decade, Israel had attempted to assassinate him more than a dozen times, but he survived each attempt. Local sources say Saad frequently traveled under different names and maintained several secret hideouts across Gaza.

Hamas’ Allegation

Following the strike, Hamas released a statement accusing Israel of a “dangerous violation of the ceasefire.” A spokesperson said the attack targeted a civilian vehicle and resulted in the deaths of innocent people.

Hamas called on mediators including Qatar, Egypt, and the United Nations to intervene immediately. The group warned that if such attacks continued, the current ceasefire agreement reached in October 2025 would completely collapse.

Israel, however, maintained that Saad was revitalizing Hamas’ military units despite the ceasefire, which it said violated the “Peace for Gaza” plan proposed by U.S. President Donald Trump.

Ceasefire Under Threat

The December 13 strike is being described as the largest military action since the October 2025 ceasefire. It came at a time when both sides were making visible efforts to maintain calm. Political analysts believe the incident could have a serious impact on the fragile balance between Israel and Hamas.

By Sunday (December 14), Israel expressed concern that the operation could affect the return of the body of the alleged hostage Ran Gavili. Hamas has so far returned 27 of the 28 bodies, while the final body is still being withheld.

According to U.S. media reports, Washington was not informed in advance about the operation. The Biden administration has urged both sides to “keep the situation under control” and exercise restraint in Gaza.

A Grim Picture of Overall Casualties in Gaza

The prolonged conflict in Gaza has already pushed the humanitarian crisis to extreme levels. Gaza’s local health ministry says more than 70,000 people have been killed so far, including a large number of women and children.

Israel claims that over 22,000 Hamas fighters are among the dead, a figure Hamas has dismissed as “false propaganda.” Meanwhile, United Nations relief agencies have warned that Gaza’s healthcare system has nearly collapsed, and thousands of people are still trapped under rubble.

Will the Conflict Return to Its Previous Intensity?

The key question now is whether this strike will reignite full-scale fighting. Experts say the killing of a top commander like Raed Saad will deal Hamas a strategic blow, but it will not dismantle the organization’s entire structure. Instead, there is a strong possibility that younger fighters may take to the streets again in the name of “revenge.”

Within Israel, the strike has also sparked debate. Some ministers are backing Netanyahu’s “hardline approach,” while others believe the action risks undermining the ceasefire.

Also Read

• Russia’s Largest Energy Strike on Ukraine So Far: Odesa and Southern Regions Worst Hit
• Geopolitical Tremors Triggered by Trump’s ‘C5’ Proposal: US, Russia, China, India and Japan on One Platform?
• Rapid Warming in India–China Relations: US Tariff Pressure Brings New Closeness Between New Delhi and Beijing
• Mexico’s Decision: 50% Import Duty on India and China, Effective From 2026

(Source – THE TIMES OF ISRAELISRAEL)