"Raad Saad, Hamas's weapons production commander, was killed", the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) announced on 13/12/2023, accompanied by images of the airstrike. The IDF described Saad as a close associate of Marwan Issa, deputy commander of Hamas's armed wing.

AFP quoted Saad's relatives confirming his death, adding his funeral would take place on 14/12/2023.

Raad Saad, Hamas's weapons production commander. Photo: *Times of Israel*.

Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu and defense minister Israel Katz issued a joint statement, stating they "ordered the killing of Raad Saad in response to Hamas detonating a device at the Yellow Line, which injured Israeli soldiers".

Under the US-brokered ceasefire agreement, Hamas pledged to release and hand over the bodies of 47 hostages captured in 10/2023, while the Israeli military withdrew behind the Yellow Line and controlled over half of the Gaza Strip's territory.

Netanyahu and Katz described Saad as "one of the architects" who planned Hamas's attack on Israel on 7/10/2023, which ignited the Gaza conflict.

The US-brokered ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, effective since 10/2023, remains in effect, though it remains fragile amid mutual accusations of violations. Disarming Hamas and establishing an international force to monitor Gaza Strip security are the two biggest challenges for this plan.

The Israeli military withdrew behind the Yellow Line in the Gaza Strip during the first phase of the ceasefire agreement. Graphic: *Al Jazeera*.

Prime minister Netanyahu stated on 7/12/2023 that Israel and Hamas were nearing completion of phase one and would soon move to phase two. The next phase involves Hamas disarming, Israel's continued withdrawal from the Gaza Strip, the establishment of a transitional government, and the deployment of international forces to stabilize the situation.

Hamas declared its readiness to hand over weapons in the Gaza Strip to the Palestinian Authority, on condition that the Israeli military withdraws from the territory.

Nhu Tam (According to AFP, Times of Israel)