Who is Raad Saad? IDF says senior Hamas leader behind October 7 attack killed

In an X post, IDF said: "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"

The Israel Defense Forces described him as one of the last remaining veteran senior militants in the Gaza Strip and a close associate of Marwan Issa, the deputy head of Hamas’ military wing.

Describing him further, IDF said: "He held several senior positions and was a central figure within the organization’s military leadership."

IDF said he was responsible for the deaths of many soldiers through explosive devices manufactured by Hamas’ weapons production units during the war.

  "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," IDF said.

IDF said his elimination significantly degrades Hamas’ ability to reestablish its capabilities.  

The Hamas leader has been eliminated just months after Israel and the group reached a US-brokered ceasefire deal in October.