Hamas confirms death of top commander in Gaza following Israeli airstrike

Hamas has confirmed the death of a senior commander in Gaza following an Israeli airstrike. The militant group identified the deceased as Raed Saad, who was described as the head of its military manufacturing unit. Israel claimed to have killed Saad in a strike outside Gaza City, asserting that he was involved in rebuilding the organization in violation of a ceasefire that began two months ago.

The Israeli military stated that Saad was targeted after an explosive device wounded two soldiers in southern Gaza. The strike, which occurred west of Gaza City, resulted in the deaths of four individuals, according to an Associated Press journalist who observed the bodies arriving at Shifa Hospital. Three others were reported wounded at Al-Awda hospital. Initially, Hamas described the struck vehicle as civilian, though the Israeli claim of targeting a military figure remains unverified.

Since the ceasefire took effect, Israeli airstrikes and shootings in Gaza have killed at least 391 Palestinians, according to Palestinian health officials. Israel has justified recent strikes as retaliation for militant attacks on its soldiers and as a response to Palestinians approaching the “Yellow Line,” the boundary between Israeli-controlled areas and the rest of Gaza.

Israel has also demanded the return of the remains of the last remaining hostage, Ran Gvili, from Gaza, framing this as a condition for advancing to the second phase of the ceasefire. This phase would aim to end Hamas’ rule and establish a demilitarized Gaza under international oversight.

The initial Hamas attack on southern Israel in October 2023 killed approximately 1,200 people and took 251 hostages. Most of the hostages or their remains have been returned through ceasefires or other agreements. However, the conflict has continued, with Israel’s two-year campaign in Gaza resulting in over 70,660 Palestinian deaths, according to the territory’s Health Ministry. The ministry, which operates under Hamas governance, maintains detailed records considered reliable by the international community.

The toll includes roughly half women and children, with the ministry not distinguishing between militants and civilians in its count. The ongoing violence underscores the complex and tragic humanitarian situation in Gaza, where civilians continue to bear the brunt of the conflict.

Source: Read the original report