GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip — The Israeli military carried out a strike on a car in Gaza City Saturday that reportedly killed four people and injured at least 25 others, according to Gaza health authorities. Israeli media outlets cited sources identifying one of the dead as Raed Saed, a senior Hamas commander involved in the October 7, 2023, attacks on Israel, though Hamas and local medics have not confirmed his death.

Israeli forces said the operation targeted a senior Hamas commander but did not release a name or further details. An Israeli defense official described Saed as head of Hamas’ weapons manufacturing unit, while Hamas sources also identify him as second-in-command of the group’s armed wing, after Izz eldeen Al-Hadad. Saed previously led Hamas’ Gaza City battalion, one of its largest and best-equipped units.

Earlier Saturday, the military reported that two soldiers were injured by an explosive device that detonated during a mission to clear militant infrastructure. It remains unclear if the two incidents were connected.

The current conflict erupted after Hamas-led militants killed around 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and took 251 hostages in southern Israel on October 7, 2023. In response, Israel’s offensive in Gaza has killed more than 70,700 Palestinians, according to local health officials.

A ceasefire on October 10 allowed hundreds of thousands of residents to return to parts of Gaza City, with Israel pulling back troops and aid flows increasing. Nevertheless, violence persists: Palestinian health authorities report at least 386 deaths from Israeli strikes since the truce, while Israel says three soldiers have been killed and multiple militants targeted in operations.