Israel’s killing of senior Hamas commander Raed Saed has prompted Hamas chief negotiator Khalil al‑Hayyá to warn that the Gaza ceasefire “threatens the viability of the agreement,” and he urged U.S. President Donald Trump to press Israel to comply with the truce.
Assassination and Immediate Reactions
Thousands of Hamas supporters gathered in central Gaza City for Saed’s funeral, chanting “Martyrs are dear to God” as coffins draped in green Hamas flags were carried through the streets. The ceremony marked one of the group’s largest public displays since the U.S.–backed ceasefire took effect in October.
In a televised address, al‑Hayyá confirmed Saed’s death, calling it the highest‑profile assassination of a senior Hamas figure since the ceasefire began. He said the “continued Israeli violations of the ceasefire agreement … and latest assassinations that targeted Saed and others threaten the viability of the agreement.”
Hamas’s armed wing announced that a replacement had been chosen for Saed and asserted that his killing would not deter the group from pursuing the “path of Jihad.”
Political Context and Negotiations
Israel says Saed helped plan the 7 October 2023 attack that sparked the war. Since the ceasefire, Israeli forces have retained control of the depopulated eastern half of Gaza, while Hamas has re‑established authority over the western half, where the enclave’s more than two million residents live amid ruins.
The warring parties remain at odds over future steps: Israel demands Hamas disarm and be excluded from any future Gaza administration, whereas Hamas refuses to give up its weapons and seeks a full Israeli withdrawal.
The ceasefire agreement calls for a UN‑authorised International Stabilisation Force to maintain peace. Al‑Hayyá said the force should be limited to Gaza’s border, outside the territory.
The U.S. Central Command will host a conference in Doha on 16 December with partner nations to plan the International Stabilisation Force, according to U.S. officials.
Incidents Within Gaza
In central Gaza, gunmen killed Ahmed Zamzam, a senior officer in a Hamas‑run internal security service tasked with combating collaboration with Israel. The Gaza Interior Ministry labeled the attackers “collaborators acting upon Israeli orders” and said one suspect had been detained.
Ghassan Duhine, leader of the anti‑Hamas Popular Forces based in the Israeli‑occupied sector, claimed his group killed Zamzam as “a fair revenge.” Hamas brands Duhine’s group and similar factions as collaborators, while they accuse Hamas of causing Gaza’s destruction. Reuters could not independently verify the circumstances, and the Israeli military did not comment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was Raed Saed?
Raed Saed was a senior Hamas commander described by Hamas sources as the second‑in‑command of its armed wing, responsible for “military manufacturing.” Israel says he was one of the key architects of the 7 October 2023 attack on Israel.
What has Hamas said about the assassination?
Hamas called the killing a violation of the ceasefire that threatens the agreement’s viability. The group announced a replacement for Saed, affirmed that the death would not halt its “path of Jihad,” and called on U.S. President Donald Trump to press Israel to respect the truce.
What steps are being discussed to stabilize Gaza?
The ceasefire agreement envisions a UN‑authorised International Stabilisation Force. Hamas wants the force confined to Gaza’s border outside the territory, while the U.S. Central Command is organizing a Doha conference on 16 December with partner nations to plan the force’s deployment.
How might these developments influence the prospects for a lasting peace in Gaza?
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