Hadil Al-Shalchi
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Saad's killing would be the highest-profile assassination of a Hamas leader by the Israeli military since a ceasefire deal was reached in October.
He was a close ally of Azzedine al-Haddad, who took over Hamas's military wing after Israeli forces killed Mohamed Sinwar last May.
Hadil Al-Shalchi, NPR News, Tel Aviv.
The Israeli military said it has killed Ra'ad Saad, a Hamas senior official who Israel says was the second in command of the group's military wing.
A video released by the Israeli military showed an airstrike on a vehicle they said Saad was riding in.
Hamas did not confirm Saad's killing, but in a statement condemned an Israeli strike on what they called a civilian vehicle west of Gaza City.
Hamas did not say who was in the vehicle.
Saad's killing would be the highest-profile assassination of a Hamas leader by the Israeli military since a ceasefire deal was reached in October.
He was a close ally of Azzedine al-Haddad, who took over Hamas's military wing after Israeli forces killed Mohamed Sinwar last May.
Hadil Al-Shalchi, NPR News, Tel Aviv.
The Israeli government has approved plans for 19 new settlements in the occupied West Bank, saying the proposals would strengthen settlement life in the territory.
Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich is in charge of settlement policy and said more than 760 new homes on existing settlements were also approved.
Smotrich, a far-right nationalist and settler himself, has said Jews have a God-given right to the land.
Israel first occupied the West Bank during the 1967 Mideast War.
and has since permitted more than 500,000 settlers there.
The settlements are considered illegal under international law.
The UN has recorded more than 1,700 settler attacks on Palestinians in the West Bank so far this year.
Hadil Al-Shalchi, NPR News, Tel Aviv.
Hundreds of people gathered in Manger Square in Bethlehem near the site where Christians believe Jesus was born.
A prayer was read and cheers broke out as people stood around the giant Christmas tree.