Hamas confirmed the killing of senior leader Raed Saad and aides by Israeli forces, a day after Israel announced the operation. Saad, described as an architect of the October 7 attack and second-in-command of Hamas's armed wing,

The IDF and ISA said they killed senior Hamas commander Raed Saad, a key planner of the October 7 attack, citing ceasefire violations and weapons rebuilding. Israel said his death significantly weakens Hamas’ military capabilities in Gaza.

Sa’ad served as head of the production headquarters of Hamas’s military wing and was considered the organization’s number two figure, operating under the wing’s commander, Izz al-Din al-Haddad. He was regarded as one of the most senior and respected operatives within Hamas’s military leadership.