Israeli Strike Kills Senior Hamas Commander, Threatens Gaza Ceasefire
In a major development that threatens to strain the ceasefire in Gaza, senior Hamas commander Raed Saed was confirmed to have been killed in an Israeli strike on Saturday, according to multiple sources including Al Jazeera English, Tehran Times, and The Hindu. The Israeli military has also confirmed the assassination, as reported by Middle East Eye and The Guardian. The killing is seen as a significant breach of the ceasefire and has drawn sharp criticism from Hamas.
Background
Raed Saed was a high-ranking official in Hamas, heading the group's weapons production, as per Folha de S.Paulo. His assassination marks the highest-profile killing of a senior Hamas figure since the U.S.-backed Gaza ceasefire deal came into effect in October, as stated by The Hindu and Middle East Eye.
Details of the Attack
The Israeli military, according to Middle East Eye, confirmed that Saed was killed in a drone strike in Gaza City along with three others when his car was targeted near al-Nablusi square. The attack resulted in at least 25 people wounded, as reported by Gaza's health ministry. However, Al Jazeera Arabic puts the death toll at five.
Reaction and Implications
The strike has been met with outrage from Hamas, with the group's Gaza chief Khalil al-Hayya confirming the killing and slamming the breach of the ceasefire by Israel. **The continued Israeli violations of the ceasefire agreement... and latest assassinations that targeted Saed and others threaten the ceasefire agreement**,
said al-Hayya in a televised address, as quoted by Middle East Eye.
Thousands of Hamas supporters rallied in central Gaza City at a funeral for Saed and three others killed alongside him on Saturday, chanting Martyrs are dear to God
and carrying the bodies in coffins draped in green Hamas flags, according to Middle East Eye.
The assassination has strained the peace in the region, with the Tehran Times calling it a stark reminder of Israel's repeated ceasefire violations. The Japan Times reported that Israel regarded Raed Saed as one of the key architects of the Oct. 7, 2023, attack that triggered the war.
Current Status
Despite the assassination and the ensuing outcry, The Times of Israel reported that Hamas rejects disarmament and has accused 'agents of the occupation' of assassinating the senior commander. The Israeli military has not provided additional details about the strike.
This incident underscores the fragility of the ceasefire agreement and raises serious questions about its future viability. As the region grapples with the aftermath of the strike, the international community awaits further developments and responses from both Israel and Hamas.