Tel Aviv, Israel — December 14 (ANI): The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) and the Israel Security Agency (ISA) said on Saturday they killed a senior Hamas commander they say helped plan the October 7 attack on Israel.
In a December 13 statement the IDF named the man as Raed Saad, calling him the ‘Head of the Weapons Production Headquarters of Hamas’ military wing’ and ‘one of the architects of the brutal October 7 massacre.’ The military released a video it said shows the strike.
The IDF said Saad supervised production of a wide range of weapons for Hamas’ military wing before October 7 and later led efforts to rebuild weapons manufacturing during the ongoing war. The operation, the military said, occurred amid what it described as repeated attempts in recent weeks by Hamas to attack Israeli forces, including using explosive devices against IDF troops in violation of the ceasefire.
‘Raed Saad led Hamas’ force build-up, and his elimination significantly degrades Hamas’ ability to reestablish its capabilities,’ the IDF said, describing him as among the last senior, experienced commanders in Gaza and a close associate of Marwan Issa, deputy head of Hamas’ military wing.
According to the IDF, Saad founded and commanded the Gaza City Brigade, helped establish Hamas’ naval force in Gaza, and after serving as a brigade commander was appointed head of Hamas’ Operations Headquarters. In that role, the military said, he set up the Nukhba Battalions and helped shape the ‘Jericho Wall’ plan that underpinned Hamas’ October 7 operations. He was later named head of weapons production, overseeing manufacture of weapons used by Hamas fighters.
The IDF also blamed explosives produced under Saad’s command for the deaths of numerous Israeli soldiers during fighting in Gaza and accused him of continuing weapons production during the ceasefire.
In a joint statement, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defence Minister Israel Katz said Saad was killed ‘in response to the activation of a Hamas explosive device that wounded our forces today in the Yellow Zone of the Gaza Strip.’ They said he was involved in restoring the organisation and planning and carrying out attacks against Israel in violation of the ceasefire.
Palestinian media reported the strike hit a vehicle on the coastal Rashid Road on the Hamas-controlled side of the ceasefire line, saying four people were killed and more than 20 injured. Saad was reportedly killed alongside three bodyguards.
The IDF and ISA said they will continue to operate against the Hamas organisation. Since the ceasefire took effect on October 10, Hamas has returned 27 of 28 bodies it held in Gaza, saying it needs time to search rubble for remains; Israel has accused Hamas of deliberate delays.
This report was sourced from a syndicated feed and published as received.
