The IDF and the Shin Bet security agency eliminated Ra'ad Sa'ad, head of the production headquarters of Hamas' military wing and one of the architects of the October 7 massacre, Israeli officials confirmed on Saturday.
Israeli fighter jets fired three missiles at Sa'ad's vehicle in Gaza City, killing him. The US was informed of the strike only after it was carried out.
Sa'ad was considered the terrorist organization's second-in-command and the de facto deputy of Izz ad-Din al-Haddad, head of Hamas' military wing in Gaza.
According to the IDF statement, "In recent months, Sa'ad played a leading role in Hamas' military wing, including direct involvement in violating the ceasefire agreement. He also oversaw the continued production of weapons in the Gaza Strip during the ceasefire period."
? 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
Sa'ad was one of the last remaining veteran senior militants in the Gaza Strip and a close associate of Marwan Issa, the… pic.twitter.com/nIa1VUqryI
— Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) December 13, 2025
Sa'ad, known by the alias Abu Moaz, was among the last senior veteran figures to remain in the Gaza Strip. He held a series of senior positions and was close to Marwan Issa, the deputy head of Hamas' military wing, who was also killed. Among other roles, Sa'ad established and commanded the Gaza City Brigade and was involved in setting up Hamas' naval force in the Gaza Strip.
After completing his tenure as commander of the Gaza Brigade, Sa'ad was appointed head of operations headquarters. In that role, he established the Nukhba units and took part in designing and building the "Jericho Wall" plan, the framework on which Hamas based its plans for the October 7 massacre.
