Hamas confirms death of Ra’ad Sa’ad, its weapons chief, during cease‑fire; successor named
During the U.S.-brokered cease-fire, Israel carried out an airstrike west of Gaza City that it says killed Ra’ad (Raed) Sa’ad — whom the IDF identified as the head of Hamas’s weapons production and a key veteran explosives commander — and Palestinian health officials and journalists reported four dead and three wounded; Hamas confirmed his death and named a successor. The IDF justified the strike as targeting operatives “actively engaged in terrorism,” while U.S. officials privately told Prime Minister Netanyahu the attack violated the truce and was not coordinated with Washington.
📌 Key Facts
- Hamas confirmed the death of Ra’ad (also spelled Raed) Sa’ad, whom it called the commander of its military manufacturing/weapons-production unit, and said it has named a new commander (no further details provided); earlier Hamas initially disputed the Israeli account, calling the strike a civilian hit and a ceasefire breach.
- The IDF/ISA identified Ra’ad Sa’ad as head of Hamas’ Weapons Production Headquarters, a close associate of deputy military chief Marwan Issa, and one of the last remaining veteran senior militants central to Hamas’ military leadership, saying his death significantly degrades Hamas’ ability to reestablish capabilities.
- The Israeli military said the strike followed an explosive device detonation in southern Gaza that wounded two Israeli soldiers and argued that under the U.S.-brokered ceasefire it may strike targets "actively engaged in terrorism," citing repeated Hamas violations.
- The specific airstrike west of Gaza City killed four people and wounded three; bodies were reported arriving at Shifa Hospital and Al‑Awda Hospital reported the injuries.
- Palestinian health officials gave an updated toll for the ceasefire period of at least 391 Palestinians killed in Gaza by Israeli fire (an increase from earlier counts).
- The White House privately told Prime Minister Netanyahu the strike violated the U.S.-brokered ceasefire, and U.S. officials said Israel did not notify or consult Washington ahead of the strike; senior U.S. officials expressed growing frustration with Netanyahu’s handling of Gaza implementation.
- An Israeli official acknowledged U.S. unhappiness but framed the U.S. message as reflecting Arab perceptions and argued Hamas had violated the agreement first; U.S. officials also cited other friction points with Israel, including cross-border strikes in Syria and concerns over West Bank settler violence.
- As diplomatic activity continued, U.S. envoy Tom Barrack was visiting Israel for talks and Netanyahu was reported to be expected to meet former President Trump at Mar‑a‑Lago on Sept. 29, underscoring the broader U.S.-Israel diplomatic context surrounding the incident.
📰 Sources (5)
Scoop: White House scolded Netanyahu for violating Gaza ceasefire with strike
New information:
- White House privately told Netanyahu the strike killing Raed/Ra’ad Saad violated the U.S.-brokered Gaza ceasefire, per two U.S. officials.
- U.S. officials say Israel did not notify or consult Washington ahead of the strike.
- Senior U.S. officials (Rubio, Witkoff, Kushner) are described as increasingly frustrated with Netanyahu’s stance on Gaza implementation.
- An Israeli official confirmed the White House was unhappy but framed the message as referencing Arab perceptions, and argued Hamas had violated the agreement first.
- Additional friction points cited by U.S. officials include Israeli cross-border strikes in Syria and concerns over West Bank settler violence.
- U.S. envoy Tom Barrack is visiting Israel for talks; Netanyahu is expected to meet Trump at Mar-a-Lago on Sept. 29 (per Axios).
Hamas confirms death of a top commander in Gaza after Israeli airstrike
New information:
- Hamas officially confirmed the death of Ra’ad (Raed) Sa’ad, calling him the commander of its military manufacturing unit.
- Hamas said it has named a new commander (no details provided).
- AP reports 4 people killed and 3 wounded in the specific strike west of Gaza City, with bodies observed arriving at Shifa Hospital; Al‑Awda reported the injuries.
- Updated toll since the ceasefire: at least 391 Palestinians killed by Israeli fire in Gaza, per Palestinian health officials (up from prior counts).
Israel's military says it killed top Hamas commander in Gaza
New information:
- IDF says the strike followed an explosive device detonation in southern Gaza that wounded two Israeli soldiers.
- Hamas did not confirm Raed Saad’s death, claiming a civilian vehicle was hit and calling it a ceasefire breach.
- Location and casualties: strike west of Gaza City; 4 bodies brought to Shifa Hospital (per AP journalist) and 3 wounded (per Al‑Awda Hospital).
- IDF justification: under the ceasefire, the military says it may strike targets 'actively engaged in terrorism,' citing repeated Hamas violations and 'Yellow Line' incursions.
- Updated truce-period toll: Palestinian health officials say at least 386 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza since the ceasefire took effect.
Israel announces it killed one of the architects of the Oct. 7 attacks
New information:
- IDF identifies Ra’ad Sa’ad as head of Hamas’ Weapons Production Headquarters and a close associate of deputy military chief Marwan Issa.
- IDF/ISA joint statement says Sa’ad was responsible for many IDF deaths in Gaza via explosives manufactured by his headquarters.
- Israeli official tells Fox News Sa’ad was working to reconstitute Hamas capabilities in violation of the U.S.-brokered ceasefire; Israel argues the truce permits strikes on actively engaged terrorist targets.
- IDF characterizes Sa’ad as one of the last remaining veteran senior militants in Gaza and central to Hamas’ military leadership.
- IDF says his death significantly degrades Hamas’ ability to reestablish capabilities.