The Israeli military on Wednesday confirmed the death of a Hamas financial officer in a December 13 airstrike in Gaza, identifying him as a key figure in the group’s armed wing. The official, named Zakut, was killed alongside senior Hamas commander Raed Saad during a joint operation by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) and the Shin Bet security agency. Saad was reportedly one of the planners of Hamas’s October 7, 2023, attack on Israel. According to IDF Arabic spokesperson Avichay Adraee, Zakut was responsible for managing millions of dollars in funding for Hamas’s military activities over the past year. Hamas leader Khalil al-Hayya had earlier confirmed Saad’s death but did not mention Zakut. The IDF described Saad as head of Hamas’s weapons production headquarters, overseeing the group’s military buildup. The announcement comes amid a fragile ceasefire in Gaza, in effect since October 10, which both Israel and Hamas accuse each other of violating. The identification of Zakut underscores Israel’s continued targeting of Hamas’s financial and military infrastructure.