Senior Hamas leader Raed Saed, a mastermind behind October 7 attacks, targeted in response to Hamas assault on Israeli soldiers. Image credit Reuters
A senior Hamas commander, Raed Saed, has been killed in a targeted strike on Gaza City, according to Israel’s military. Saed was one of the masterminds behind the October 7, 2023, attacks on Israel and was responsible for advancing Hamas’s weapons production network.
The Israeli military targeted Saed in response to a Hamas attack that injured two soldiers on Saturday. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defence Minister Israel Katz stated that the strike was a direct response to the attack.
Israeli Airstrike Killed 5 People Include Senior Hamas Commander
The Gaza health authorities reported that the strike on a car in Gaza City killed five people and wounded at least 25 others. However, Hamas and medics have not confirmed whether Saed was among the dead.
Hamas has condemned the attack, calling it a violation of the ceasefire agreement. However, the group stopped short of threatening retaliation, suggesting a possible desire to maintain the fragile peace.
Saed was a high-ranking member of Hamas and played a key role in re-establishing the group’s capabilities and weapons manufacturing. His killing is a significant blow to Hamas’s operations and a major success for Israel’s military.
Isreal Violates Gaza Ceasefire Agreement
The strike on Saed is the highest-profile killing of a senior Hamas figure since the Gaza ceasefire came into effect in October. It is likely to escalate tensions between Israel and Hamas, which have been engaged in a fragile peace.
The Israeli military has been targeting Hamas’s military infrastructure in Gaza, including its weapons production facilities. The strike on Saed is part of this ongoing effort to disrupt Hamas’s operations.
Hamas has been trying to rebuild its military capabilities, including its rocket arsenal, since the 2014 Gaza war. Saed’s killing is a significant setback for these efforts.
The Gaza ceasefire has been fragile, with both sides accusing each other of violations. The strike on Saed is likely to test the limits of the agreement.
The international community has been calling for a peaceful resolution to the conflict, urging both sides to exercise restraint. The killing of Saed is likely to increase pressure on Hamas to avoid escalating the situation.
The Israeli military has warned that it will continue to target Hamas’s military infrastructure, including its leaders, until the group stops its attacks on Israel.
Hamas has a history of using civilians as human shields, and the group’s military operations are often based in densely populated areas. This makes it challenging for Israel to target Hamas’s leaders without putting civilians at risk.
The strike on Saed highlights the ongoing risks and challenges in the region. The situation is likely to remain volatile, with both sides trading blows and testing the limits of the ceasefire.
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