By Kritika Gangwar
Hamas confirmed the death of Raed Saad, a top commander in Gaza city, killed in an Israeli attack. In the statement by Hamas, it identified Raed Saad as the head of its military manufacturing unit.
Israel had portrayed him as the root planner of the October 7, 2023 assault, which later on had triggered the Gaza war. They claimed him to be rebuilding the terrorist organisation and breaching the ceasefire which was reinforced two months ago.
Israel said that Saad was killed due to the detonation of an explosive device which injured two soldiers in Southern Gaza.
The strike took place west of Gaza city on Saturday, killing four people, as witnessed by an Associated Press journalist who saw their bodies. Three others were injured too, as reported by Al-Awda hospital. Hamas had initially said that the vehicle hit in the strike was a civilian one. The organisation states it had appointed a new commander but did not give any insights on the information.
As reported by Palestinian health officials, Israeli airstrikes combined with the gunfire in Gaza have killed approximately 391 Palestinians from the moment the ceasefire started.
Israel, in its defence, said that the recent strikes were carried out in response to the attacks on its soldiers and that their troops fired only on the soldiers from the Palestinian border who came too close to the Yellow Line that separates the Israeli-controlled areas of Gaza.
Israel demanded from the Palestinian militants to return their remaining hostage, Ran Gvili from Gaza, accelerating the second phase of the ceasefire. This phase outlines plans to end Hamas rule.
The Hamas-run government controls the ministry, which is staffed by medical experts and has in-depth records that are usually considered reliable by the international community.