Israel’s elite forces erased Hamas’ terror architect, crushing Gaza’s illegal rearmament and exposing Palestinian deceit.
In a decisive Shabbat operation, the IDF delivered a crushing blow to Hamas by eliminating Ra’ad Sa’ad — the deputy terror chief and one of the principal architects of the barbaric October 7 massacre. Sa’ad, long considered Hamas’ second-in-command, was killed in Gaza City while attempting to quietly rebuild the terror infrastructure the group promised to dismantle.
Sa’ad headed Hamas’ Production Directorate, the core engine behind the group’s rockets, missiles, anti-tank systems, and deadly explosives. He was a founding figure of Hamas’ military wing, a veteran of its exclusive terror council, and a close confidant of arch-terrorist Marwan Issa. Over decades, he served as head of Operations, commander of the Gaza Brigade, and the driving force behind the Nukhba Battalions — the same elite death squads that carried out the October 7 atrocities.
The IDF confirmed that in recent weeks Hamas repeatedly violated the ceasefire, planting explosive devices against Israeli soldiers and covertly rebuilding its military capabilities. Sa’ad personally directed these violations and spearheaded Hamas’ force-build-up. Removing him, the IDF emphasized, dramatically weakens Hamas’ ability to reconstitute its war machine.
He was also deeply involved in the “Jericho Wall” assault doctrine — the blueprint for the October 7 massacre that left Israelis murdered, burned alive, kidnapped, and mutilated by Palestinian terrorists. As head of Weapons Production, Sa’ad manufactured the very explosives that killed numerous IDF soldiers in Gaza and continued producing weapons even during the ceasefire, fully aware he was violating international commitments.
According to Saudi reports, the IDF struck Sa’ad’s vehicle with three precision missiles, killing him and several additional Hamas operatives. At least four were eliminated and twenty wounded. This was not Israel’s first attempt — but it was the final one.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz confirmed the operation, stating that Israel’s response came after Hamas detonated an explosive device in the designated “yellow zone,” injuring IDF reservists.
Their joint message was unequivocal:
“Anyone who raises a hand against Israel or harms our soldiers will have that hand cut off — in Gaza or anywhere else.”
They added that Sa’ad’s actions blatantly violated the ceasefire terms and President Trump’s demilitarization plan, proving once again that Hamas — backed by Arab regimes — prefers death, deceit, and terror over peace or reconstruction.
Earlier in the day, two IDF reservists were wounded by a Hamas explosive while clearing terrorist infrastructure in southern Gaza. Both were evacuated for treatment, and their families were notified.
With Sa’ad’s elimination, Israel has removed one of the last surviving senior Hamas terror engineers — a man whose career was dedicated entirely to killing Israelis and destabilizing the region. His death is a strategic victory and a clear message to every Hamas commander still hiding underground: Israel will reach you — with precision and without hesitation.
