Hamas Confirms Death of Senior Commander in Israeli Airstrike

Hamas has announced the death of Raed Saad, a senior commander, following an Israeli airstrike in Gaza, marking one of the most significant assassinations since the ceasefire began in October. The Israeli military confirmed that Saad was targeted in an operation near Gaza City on Saturday, resulting in at least 25 injuries among civilians.

Khalil al-Hayya, the leader of Hamas in Gaza, released a video statement on Sunday affirming the killing and accused Israel of violating the ceasefire agreement that had been established. He stated, "In light of Israel’s ongoing violations, including the recent assassination, we urge the mediators and particularly the US administration to ensure that Israel adheres to the ceasefire terms and implements them fully."

Since the ceasefire commenced on October 10, Israeli forces have reportedly conducted nearly 800 strikes in Gaza, leading to the deaths of at least 386 individuals, according to local health authorities. These actions have raised concerns regarding compliance with the ceasefire.

Additionally, humanitarian aid access into Gaza has been severely restricted, contravening the terms set by the ceasefire. Hundreds of thousands of Palestinians are grappling with the aftermath of Storm Byron, which inundated approximately 27,000 makeshift shelters.

Last week, the United Nations General Assembly overwhelmingly supported a resolution calling for Israel to allow unrestricted humanitarian access to Gaza and to cease attacks on UN facilities, urging compliance with international law as an occupying entity.

Al-Hayya emphasised the importance of resuming humanitarian operations, stating, "Our focus is on progressing towards ending the conflict, particularly in completing the initial phase of the ceasefire, which entails facilitating aid and necessary equipment for the rehabilitation of medical facilities and infrastructure. This includes the opening of the Rafah crossing with Egypt in both directions and moving forward to the second phase, which aims for a complete withdrawal of Israeli forces."

The ceasefire agreement outlines a framework for the disarmament of Hamas and the deployment of an international stabilisation force, as proposed by US President Donald Trump. However, al-Hayya asserted that the role of any international force should be limited. He commented, "The international peace force's mission must focus solely on maintaining the ceasefire and ensuring a separation between the two sides along the Gaza borders. Hamas and other Palestinian factions are committed to the agreement but will not accept any form of oversight imposed on Gaza or its citizens."

The Israeli military claimed that Saad had been involved in efforts to restore Hamas’s military capabilities, which have been significantly affected by over two years of conflict. An Israeli defence official described him as the head of the weapons-manufacturing unit of Hamas and indicated that he played a crucial role in the attacks on Israel on October 7, 2023.

This latest incident occurs as both Hamas and Israel appear to be preparing for the next phase of the ceasefire, which is expected to involve an Israeli withdrawal and the disarmament of Palestinian groups.

Khaled Meshaal, Hamas's leader in exile, is reportedly engaging with the US government to advocate for a Palestinian approach regarding disarmament and military assets, which remains a contentious issue in advancing the ceasefire process. Speaking on Al Jazeera Arabic’s Mawazine programme, Meshaal expressed Hamas’s intention to establish conditions that would prevent the recurrence of conflict between Gaza and Israel, which may involve a potential handover of weapons, albeit with Palestinian input on the process.

Earlier in December, Basem Naim, a senior Hamas official, indicated that the US draft of the second phase agreement necessitated significant clarifications. While the group is amenable to discussions about "freezing or storing" arms during the ongoing truce, it firmly opposes an international force taking responsibility for its disarmament. Naim remarked, "We welcome a UN presence near the borders to supervise the ceasefire agreement and monitor violations, but we will not accept any mandates over Palestinian territory."