Israel Kills Senior Hamas Leader Ra’ad Sa’ad, Architect of October 7 Attacks
JERUSALEM, Israel — Israeli forces announced on December 13, 2025, that they had killed Ra’ad Sa’ad, a senior Hamas leader and one of the principal architects behind the devastating October 7, 2023, attacks. Sa’ad, who headed the Weapons Production Headquarters within Hamas’ military wing, was a central figure in orchestrating the massacre that shocked the region and the world.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) described Sa’ad as “one of the last remaining veteran senior militants in the Gaza Strip” and a close associate of Marwan Issa, the deputy head of Hamas’ military wing. Holding several senior positions over the years, Sa’ad was deeply embedded in the terror group’s military leadership. According to the IDF, his death “significantly degrades Hamas’ ability to reestablish its capabilities.”
An IDF official told Fox News that Sa’ad had been actively working in recent months to rebuild Hamas’ weapons manufacturing and military infrastructure, in violation of the U.S.-brokered ceasefire agreement. Under the terms of the ceasefire, Israel retains the right to strike targets engaged in terrorism, a provision that facilitated the operation against Sa’ad.
Previously serving as the Gaza Brigade commander, Sa’ad was considered one of the founding members of Hamas’ military wing and among the highest-ranking militants still operating in Gaza. His involvement in the planning and execution of the October 7 attacks marked him as a key target for Israeli security forces.
The joint statement issued by the IDF and the Israel Security Agency (ISA) emphasized Sa’ad’s direct responsibility for the deaths of numerous Israeli soldiers, attributing many of the casualties to explosives manufactured under his supervision. The statement read, “Ra’ad Sa’ad was a leading figure in the leadership of Hamas’ military wing in recent months and was directly responsible for violations of the ceasefire agreement by the Hamas terrorist organization.”
The October 7 attacks, which resulted in significant loss of life and heightened tensions across the Middle East, have continued to reverberate through the region. Israeli officials have maintained a robust campaign to dismantle Hamas’ military capabilities, and the elimination of Sa’ad marks a critical milestone in that effort.
Israel’s Ministry of Defense has underscored the importance of this operation in curbing Hamas’ ability to rearm and regroup. The ongoing conflict underscores the fragility of ceasefire agreements in the region and the persistent threat posed by militant groups.
For further context on the security situation and Israel’s counterterrorism operations, see the Israel Defense Forces official website and the U.S. Department of State’s overview of U.S.-Israel relations. The CIA World Factbook also provides detailed background on the geopolitical dynamics in Gaza and the broader region.
As tensions persist, the international community continues to watch closely, hoping for a de-escalation of violence and a return to stability in the region.
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