The Al-Qassam Brigades, the military wing of the Palestinian Resistance Movement Hamas, announced on Saturday the killing of senior commander Raed Saeed Saad, widely known by his nom de guerre Abu Muadh, following a targeted Israeli assassination amid an ongoing ceasefire in the Gaza Strip.

In an official military statement, Al-Qassam described the killing as a “blatant and dangerous violation of the ceasefire agreement,” accusing the Israeli occupation of deliberately undermining efforts to halt hostilities by continuing targeted attacks and assassinations. The group said Abu Muadh had devoted decades of his life to the Palestinian resistance, playing a central role in strengthening its defensive and military capabilities.

According to the statement, Abu Muadh most recently headed Al-Qassam’s military manufacturing apparatus, which the group described as a cornerstone of its ability to confront the occupation. Al-Qassam credited his leadership and technical expertise with contributing significantly to resistance operations during Operation Al-Aqsa Flood on October 7 and throughout subsequent confrontations in Gaza.

The Brigades accused Israel of “crossing all red lines” by targeting senior resistance figures and persisting with military assaults on the besieged enclave despite the ceasefire. The statement also placed responsibility on the United States and international mediators, including U.S. President Donald Trump, for what it called their failure to restrain Israel and ensure the implementation of agreed-upon terms.

Reaffirming what it described as the Palestinian people’s legitimate right to self-defense, Al-Qassam said that responding to continued aggression is “guaranteed under all circumstances.” The group emphasized that assassinations and military pressure would not weaken the resistance, announcing that a new commander has already been appointed to assume Abu Muadh’s responsibilities.

“The path of resistance will not stop with the loss of leaders,” the statement said, adding that such actions only reinforce determination to continue confronting the occupation until Palestinian rights are restored. The announcement comes amid mounting tensions in Gaza, where repeated Israeli violations have raised serious doubts about the durability of the ceasefire and the prospects for lasting calm. (ILKHA)