JERUSALEM (AP) — On Sunday, Hamas confirmed the death of a senior commander, Raed Saad, following an Israeli strike near Gaza City. This announcement came a day after Israel reported that Saad was killed in a military operation. Hamas characterized Saad as the leader of its military manufacturing unit, while Israel labeled him as an architect of the October 7, 2023, attack that ignited the ongoing war in Gaza. Israel further claimed that Saad was involved in rebuilding the militant organization in violation of a ceasefire established two months prior.
According to Israeli statements, Saad's death was linked to his involvement after an explosive device injured two Israeli soldiers in the southern territory. The strike that eliminated Saad reportedly resulted in four fatalities, as observed by an Associated Press journalist who witnessed the bodies being transported to Shifa Hospital. In addition, three others were reported injured at Al-Awda hospital. Hamas initially claimed that the targeted vehicle was of civilian nature.
The conflict between Israel and Hamas has been marked by mutual accusations of ceasefire violations. Since the ceasefire took effect, Israeli airstrikes and shootings in Gaza have led to the deaths of at least 391 Palestinians, as reported by Palestinian health officials. Israel has maintained that its strikes are in response to militant attacks against its soldiers, asserting that troops have fired on Palestinians approaching the "Yellow Line," dividing the Israeli-controlled section of Gaza from the rest of the territory.
In the context of ongoing hostilities, Israel has demanded the return of the remains of the final hostage, Ran Gvili, from Gaza. Israel stated that this return is a prerequisite for progressing to the second and more complex phase of the ceasefire, which envisions the end of Hamas' rule and the reconstruction of a demilitarized Gaza under international supervision.
The initial Hamas-led attack on southern Israel on October 7, 2023, resulted in approximately 1,200 fatalities and took 251 hostages. Most of these hostages or their remains have been returned during ceasefire agreements or other negotiations. In the ongoing two-year military campaign in Gaza, Israeli actions have led to the deaths of more than 70,660 Palestinians, according to the Gaza Health Ministry. This statistic includes a significant number of women and children, though the ministry does not differentiate between militants and civilians in its reporting. The Health Ministry operates under Hamas governance and is staffed by medical professionals, maintaining records that are generally deemed reliable by the international community.
As this conflict continues, the humanitarian implications remain dire and complex, affecting countless lives on both sides and perpetuating a cycle of violence and retaliation.
