Israel claims to have killed key Hamas leader amid ongoing fighting

Fighting has persisted throughout the year despite the official ceasefire and progress on a practical, post-conflict resolution remains elusive.

By Ben Whedon

Published: December 13, 2025 4:32pm

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) on Saturday claimed to have killed a key Hamas leader amid ongoing fighting in Gaza that persists despite the nominal ceasefire brokered by President Donald Trump.

"ELIMINATED: Ra’ad Sa’ad, Head of the Weapons Production Headquarters of Hamas’ Military Wing and One of the Architects of the Brutal October 7th Massacre," the IDF posted on X. "Sa’ad was 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. He held several senior positions and was a central figure within the organization’s military leadership."

The IDF asserted that Sa'ad's death would significantly limit Hamas from regrouping. Fighting has persisted throughout the year despite the official ceasefire and progress on a practical, post-conflict resolution remains elusive.

Ben Whedon is the Chief Political Correspondent at Just the News. Follow him on X.