From the Liveblog of
Sunday, December 14, 2025
Hamas says it reserves ‘right to respond’ to Israeli assassination of Raad Saad
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The al-Qassam Brigades, Hamas’s military wing, says it reserves the right to respond to Israel’s assassination yesterday of Raad Saad, who led Hamas’s military production and was considered the Brigades’ second-in-command.
In a statement quoted by Arabic media, the Qassam Brigades say that Israel’s attack “crossed every red line” and “shows complete disregard” for US President Donald Trump’s ceasefire plan. It calls on ceasefire mediators to hold Israel to account.
“Our right to respond to the occupation’s aggression is guaranteed, and it’s our right to defend ourselves by any means,” says the statement.
It adds that the Qassam leadership has appointed a new commander to fill Saad’s role. The new commander is not named in the statement.
In a separate statement quoted by Arabic media, Hamas names three of its operatives who were killed alongside Saad in the IDF strike on a vehicle on the coastal Rashid Road in Gaza City. They are Riyadh al-Labban, Abdul-Hayy Zaqout and Yahya al-Kayyali, according to the statement. Palestinian media reported a total of five people killed in the strike.
The two Hamas statements come after Hamas leader Khalil al-Hayya in a speech earlier today confirmed that Saad had been killed.
The Times of Israel Community.