Raed Saad

Raed Saad was a senior commander in Hamas, specifically within the Qassam Brigades, the military wing of the organization. He was killed in an Israeli strike in Gaza City on Saturday, December 13, 2025. This event is newsworthy because it represents the highest-profile assassination of a Hamas leader since a ceasefire agreement came into effect two months prior. The Israeli military claimed responsibility for the targeted strike on a vehicle, stating that Saad was a key Hamas terrorist. The attack resulted in the deaths of at least four people and wounded 25 others, according to Gaza health authorities. Hamas has condemned the strike as a violation of the ceasefire and called on the US to compel Israel to abide by the agreement. Saad's death strains the already fragile ceasefire and raises concerns about escalating tensions between Israel and Hamas.