Israel Launches Deadly Strike on Hamas Leader in Gaza

Sun Dec 14 2025 01:34:17 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

A recent Israeli airstrike targeted a senior Hamas official in Gaza, leading to multiple casualties and further escalating tensions in the region.

The Israeli military reported that it successfully killed a senior Hamas commander in an airstrike on Saturday in Gaza City. Local reports indicate that at least four others died in the attack, which also injured passers-by. The targeted individual, Raed Saad, is noted for his prominent role in Hamas's armed activities and has evaded Israeli attempts on his life for years. The strike deepens the ongoing conflict and complicates diplomatic efforts for peace in the region.

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 said 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 established since a ceasefire took hold 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.

Israel has attempted to kill him on multiple occasions. One notable attempt was during a surprise Israeli operation in Gaza City in March 2024, when Israeli forces sought to arrest or kill him. Sources at the time mentioned that Saad managed to escape moments before the raid.

He has long been considered one of Israel's most wanted Hamas figures, with assassination attempts spanning more than two decades.

Saturday's attack occurred on the Palestinian-controlled side of the so-called Yellow Line, which has divided Gaza since an unstable US-led ceasefire took effect on October 10.

Israeli forces control the area to the east of the line, which includes just over half of the Gaza Strip.

Since the onset of violence, more than 70,000 Palestinians have reportedly been killed due to Israeli military actions, raising international concern over humanitarian conditions in Gaza.