The assassination of a senior Hamas commander threatens the viability of the ceasefire with Israel to end the war in the Gaza Strip, the militant group's chief negotiator, Khalil al-Haya, said.
Al-Haja called on United States President Donald Trump, as a mediator in peace negotiations, to demand that Israel adhere to the terms of the ceasefire, Reuters reports.
Thousands of Hamas supporters gathered in Gaza City for the funeral of senior commander Raed Saeed and three of his associates who were killed with him on Saturday, in a move they blamed on Israel.
Mourners chanted "Martyrs are dear to God" and carried bodies draped in Hamas flags.
El-Haja, who lives in exile, confirmed Saeed's killing in a televised address, which is considered the most significant assassination of a senior Hamas official since the ceasefire with Israel began in October.
"Israel's continued violations of the ceasefire agreement and the latest assassinations targeting Said and others threaten the sustainability of the agreement. We call on the mediators, and in particular the main guarantor, the US administration and President Donald Trump, to work to oblige Israel to respect and commit to the ceasefire," he said.
Israel claims that Saeed was one of the key actors in the attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, which triggered the war in the Gaza Strip.
Hamas has not identified a top leader since Israel killed the group's leader, Yehi al-Sinwar, in 2024, while the group has since been run by a five-member high leadership council, of which El-Haja is a member.
Since the ceasefire, the Israeli army has continued to control the eastern part of the Gaza Strip, while Hamas has established control over the western part of the territory, which is home to around two million people.
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