Israel revealed on Saturday that it had successfully targeted and eliminated Ra’ad Sa’ad, a prominent figure in Hamas’ military operations known for his involvement in orchestrating the events of October 7. Sa’ad was the leader of the Weapons Production Headquarters within Hamas’ militant faction.

“Sa’ad was among the last of the seasoned senior militants in Gaza and was closely aligned with Marwan Issa, the deputy chief of Hamas’ military operations. He played a crucial role within the group’s military hierarchy, holding various key positions,” the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) shared in a statement on X.

The IDF further noted that his elimination “severely hampers Hamas’ ability to rebuild its military capabilities.”

In Rafah, located in the southern Gaza Strip, Palestinian Hamas members kept watch during the handover of hostages, held since the devastating attack on October 7, 2023. This event was part of a ceasefire and a prisoner exchange arrangement between Hamas and Israel, dated February 22, 2025. (Hatem Khaled/File Photo/Reuters)

An IDF representative informed Fox News that Sa’ad had been actively attempting to restore the group’s weapons production in defiance of a ceasefire brokered by the U.S. The official also emphasized that the ceasefire terms permit Israel to engage targets involved in terrorist activities.

Sa’ad previously served as the Gaza Brigade Commander and is regarded as one of the founders of Hamas’ military wing, the IDF official told Fox News. He was considered to be one of the highest-ranking Hamas members remaining in Gaza. The IDF official said that Sa’ad was privy to Hamas leadership matters and was a central figure in the orchestration of the Oct. 7 massacre.

Israel announced on Dec. 13 that it had killed Ra’ad Sa’ad, one of the architects of the Oct. 7, 2023, attacks. (IDF Spokesperson’s Unit)

The IDF and ISA said in a joint statement that Sa’ad was responsible for the deaths of many soldiers killed in Gaza by explosives that the Weapons Production Headquarters manufactured during the war.

Hamas terrorists stand in formation as Palestinians gather on a street to watch the handover of three Israeli hostages to a Red Cross team in Deir el-Balah, central Gaza, on Feb. 8, 2025.  (Majdi Fathi/NurPhoto via Getty Images)

“Ra’ad Sa’ad was a leading figure in the leadership of Hamas’ military wing in recent months and was directly responsible for violations of the ceasefire agreement by the Hamas terrorist organization,” the IDF and ISA said in a joint statement.