Israel Strikes Gaza, Kills Hamas Commander Linked to 2023 Attack

Israel’s military announced the death of Raed Saad, a senior Hamas commander, during an airstrike in Gaza. Saad was identified as one of the key figures behind the October 7, 2023October 10. Reports indicate that a civilian vehicle was hit outside Gaza City, which Hamas claims violates the terms of the truce.

Saad, who previously led Hamas’s operations division, was responsible for manufacturing weapons for the group. The IDF claimed that he had been actively involved in rebuilding Hamas’s military capabilities, which they assert constitutes a violation of the ceasefire agreement. An IDF official stated, “Hamas has been blatantly violating the ceasefire agreement and is failing to uphold its obligations.”

The Israeli military contends that their actions do not breach the ceasefire, as they are permitted to target individuals engaged in terrorist activities. The official emphasized that Hamas’s continued violations pose a threat to Israeli soldiers operating in designated areas.

Witnesses reported that the airstrike in Gaza City resulted in the deaths of four individuals, with their bodies arriving at Shifa Hospital. An additional three people were wounded, according to Al-Awda Hospital. Since the ceasefire began, Israeli airstrikes have reportedly resulted in the deaths of at least 386 Palestinians, as per local health officials.

The ongoing conflict has seen both sides accuse each other of violating the truce. Israel maintains that its recent military actions are retaliatory measures against militant attacks targeting its soldiers. Furthermore, Israeli forces have engaged with Palestinians approaching the so-called “Yellow Line,” which divides Israeli-controlled areas from the remainder of Gaza.

Israel has also demanded the return of the remains of Ran Gvili, the last hostage believed to be held in Gaza, linking this demand to the progression of the ceasefire negotiations. The second phase of the ceasefire aims to outline a framework for dismantling Hamas’s governance and facilitating the reconstruction of a demilitarized Gaza under international oversight.

The initial attack by Hamas on southern Israel on October 7 resulted in approximately 1,200 fatalities and the abduction of 251 individuals. The Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs reported that 148 hostages have been released or rescued, while the bodies of another 57 hostages were returned or recovered.

The conflict has had devastating consequences for Gaza, with more than 70,650 Palestinians killed since the beginning of the Israeli military campaign, according to the Hamas-led Health Ministry. This figure includes a significant number of women and children. The humanitarian situation in Gaza continues to deteriorate, with a large portion of the population displaced and the entry of aid remaining below agreed-upon levels.

As ceasefire discussions continue, the situation remains critical, with both humanitarian needs and political stability hanging in the balance.