Hamas confirms military leader Saad killed, blames Israel for hit on second officer

Dubai: Hamas leader Khalil Al Hayya confirms that Raad Saad, the group’s second-in-command in Gaza, was killed in an Israeli strike on Saturday.

In a speech broadcast on Arabic media to mark the 38th anniversary of Hamas’s establishment, Hayya says Saad “was martyred alongside his brothers who were with him,” without specifying details.

Palestinian media reported five people were killed by a strike on a car traveling along the coastal Rashid road in Gaza City Saturday.

Hamas also said interior security officer Lt. Col. Ahmed Zamzam was killed on Sunday morning by an Israeli-backed group under Israel’s orders, citing an initial investigation.

“The assassination was carried out by agents of the occupation under direct orders of the Israeli intelligence apparatus,” the Hamas interior ministry said in a statement. It added that investigations are ongoing and that “the remaining perpetrators” are under pursuit.

The ministry said earlier that Zamzam was shot dead this morning by armed people in the Maghazi refugee camp in central Gaza, and that one suspect has been arrested.