On Saturday, the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) announced the elimination of Ra’ad Saad, who headed Hamas’ weapons manufacturing and was a key planner of the attacks on Israeli civilians on October 7, 2023.
According to the IDF, “Mr. Saad was one of the last military veterans in Gaza and closely worked with Hamas’s deputy military chief, Marwan Issa.” He held various senior positions and was crucial in the military leadership, being linked to the deaths of many soldiers due to explosives from Hamas’ production unit.
“Recently, Mr. Saad had a prominent role within Hamas’ military wing, directly involved in breaching the ceasefire agreement. He oversaw continual arms production in Gaza even during the ceasefire,” the statement detailed.
The IDF stated that “his removal will greatly diminish Hamas’ capacity to restore its military capabilities.”
Additionally, a report indicated that when he was killed, Saad was “working to rebuild the terror group’s capabilities and weapons manufacturing, violating a U.S.-brokered ceasefire.”
“Ra’ad Sa’ad was significantly involved in orchestrating the October 7 attacks and leading efforts to rearm for future acts,” noted IDF spokesperson Lt. Col. Nadav Shoshani.
“His actions constituted a serious breach of the ceasefire agreement. The IDF’s commitment is to neutralize further Hamas terrorism with precision,” Shoshani asserted.
In response to Sa’ad’s killing, Hamas claimed the attack violated the ceasefire, but the IDF maintained that they had the right to target those actively engaged in terrorism under the ceasefire terms.
Hamas’ chief negotiator, Khalil al-Haya, urged mediators, particularly the U.S. government and President Trump, to ensure Israel honors the ceasefire.
Another Hamas representative mentioned that a successor had already been designated as the new lead for “military production,” asserting that Saad’s death wouldn’t deter the group from its “path of jihad.”
On Sunday, thousands of Hamas supporters gathered in Gaza City, parading the bodies of Sa’ad and his associates in coffins draped with Hamas flags. Observers noted this as one of the largest displays of Hamas presence since the ceasefire.
IDF officials explained that the action against Saad was initiated “in response to an attack on IDF soldiers in the Gaza Strip using an improvised explosive device,” resulting in minor injuries to two soldiers.
Hamas stated that Saad was killed when Israeli airstrikes targeted a “civilian vehicle west of Gaza City,” believed to be carrying him and his companions. Sources suggest that those also killed were likely bodyguards of Hamas leaders.
