Deadly Gaza Airstrike Targets Senior Hamas Commander

Sat Dec 13 2025 21:50:16 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

An Israeli airstrike in Gaza has reportedly killed a high-ranking Hamas official. International responses are emerging as casualties rise amidst ongoing tensions.

Israel launched an airstrike in Gaza City, killing a senior Hamas commander, Raed Saad, according to local sources. The strike, which resulted in four fatalities and numerous injuries, is part of Israel's continued efforts to target key figures within Hamas. The situation remains tense as diplomatic discussions around a ceasefire and ongoing military actions unfold.

Israel said it killed a senior Hamas commander on Saturday in a strike on a vehicle inside Gaza.

In a statement, the Israeli military said it had struck a key Hamas terrorist in Gaza City.

The Hamas-run Civil Defence spokesman, Mahmoud Basal, told the BBC that four people were killed in the strike. He said multiple passers-by were also injured by the blast.

Local sources reported that the strike may have targeted Raed Saad, a senior commander in Hamas's armed wing, the Qassam Brigades.

The BBC is prevented by Israel from reporting independently from inside Gaza and is unable to verify details of the incident. Saad is believed to be a member of the newly formed five-member leadership military council that emerged after a ceasefire was established in October. He is regarded as one of the most prominent Qassam commanders and led several brigades during Hamas's October 7 attacks on Israeli communities east of Gaza City.

Israeli forces have attempted to kill him on multiple occasions, with one of the most notable attempts occurring in March 2024 during a surprise operation in Gaza City. Sources at the time indicated that Saad was present at the targeted complex but managed to escape just before the raid.

Saturday's attack happened on the Palestinian-controlled side of the so-called Yellow Line, which has divided Gaza since the unstable US-led ceasefire took effect on October 10. Israeli forces control the area to the east of the line, which includes a substantial portion of the Gaza Strip.

The first phase of US President Donald Trump's 20-point plan for peace in the region required the return of hostages taken by Hamas during the October 7 attack. Since that day, Gaza's Hamas-run health ministry reports that more than 70,000 Palestinians have died due to Israeli military actions.

Current diplomatic efforts are focusing on the next steps of Trump's plan, which includes disarming Hamas and the proposed governance of Gaza by a transitional Palestinian committee. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has consistently rejected establishing a Palestinian state as part of these discussions.