Hamas warned that ongoing Israeli breaches of the October ceasefire, including the killing of senior commander Raed Saad, threaten the truce and could block movement to the agreement's second phase. Phase one required a halt to hostilities, return of captives and remains, and humanitarian access; phase two would include withdrawal, disarmament and a formal end to the war. Gaza authorities report nearly 800 attacks and almost 400 deaths since October 10, while Israel says it will not advance until the remains of Ran Gvili are returned. Tensions have risen between Israel and the US over the timeline for moving forward.
Hamas Says Israeli Violations Threaten Gaza Ceasefire; Killing Of Commander Could Derail Phase Two
Palestinians gather on a pile of rubble in Beit Lahia, in the northern Gaza Strip [File: Mahmoud Issa/Reuters]
Hamas has warned that continued Israeli breaches of the ceasefire risk fatally undermining the fragile truce in Gaza and may block progress to the agreement's second, more complex phase.
Commander Killed, Group Issues Warning
In a video statement released on Sunday, Hamas Gaza chief Khalil al-Hayya confirmed that senior commander Raed Saad was killed in an Israeli strike the previous day. Al-Hayya said the strikes and recent targeted killings threaten the viability of the ceasefire agreement and called on mediators — specifically naming US President Donald Trump — to press Israel to respect and adhere to the truce.
“The continued Israeli violations of the ceasefire agreement ... and the latest assassinations that targeted Saad and others threaten the viability of the agreement,” al-Hayya said.
What the Ceasefire Requires
Phase one of the October truce required a halt to hostilities, the return of living captives and prisoners and the remains of the dead, and unobstructed humanitarian access to the enclave. Only once those conditions are met would phase two — envisaged to include an Israeli withdrawal, Palestinian disarmament and a formal end to the war — be allowed to begin.
Since the truce took effect on October 10, Gaza authorities say Israel has continued daily strikes, reporting nearly 800 attacks and almost 400 deaths. The figures are attributed to Gaza officials and reflect their account of ongoing incidents and restrictions on humanitarian aid.
Israel's Position And Political Tension
Israel says it is awaiting the return of the remains of the last captive, Ran Gvili, and views that handover as a precondition for advancing to phase two. On Sunday, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu responded to Saad's killing with a defiant tone, accusing Hamas of violating the spirit of the Trump peace plan.
“[Saad] was the primary figure in charge of Hamas's effort to build up its strength and arm itself within the Strip,” Netanyahu said, accusing him of leading a remilitarisation effort. “We decide on the actions; we decide on the responses. We decide what needs to be done to ensure the security of Israel and the security of Israeli soldiers.”
Media reports say the incident has heightened tensions between Netanyahu's government and the Trump administration. The United States — described as a principal backer of the ceasefire — has reportedly urged Israel to move promptly to phase two, while Israel insists on completing the return of remains first. Netanyahu said his government is working through multiple channels, including efforts in Cairo, to secure the return of Gvili's remains.
What To Watch
Observers will be watching whether mediators can bridge the gap between Israel's demand for the return of remains and international pressure to advance the truce framework, and whether the killing of a senior commander accelerates further escalation or prompts renewed diplomatic efforts.
