UDF leads in Kerala local body elections

KOTTAYAM: Congress MP Shashi Tharoor welcomed the Kerala local body election results on Saturday, acknowledging the BJP’s historic victory in Thiruvananthapuram city corporation. The counting of votes began at 8am across 244 counting centres under tight security arrangements.

The latest trends released by the State Election Commission show UDF leading in 3155 wards, while the Left Democratic Front is ahead in 2565 wards. The NDA, led by the BJP, is leading in 577 wards, with others leading in 532 wards.“What a day of amazing results in the Kerala local self-government elections! The mandate is clear, and the democratic spirit of the state shines through,” Shashi Tharoor wrote on X.“A huge congratulations to UDF Kerala for a truly impressive win across various local bodies! This is a massive endorsement and a powerful signal ahead of the state legislative elections. Hard work, a strong message and anti-incumbency have all clearly paid off to achieve a much better result than in 2020.” he added.He wrote, “I also want to acknowledge the historic performance of the BJP in Thiruvananthapuram, and offer humble congratulations on their significant victory in the city Corporation — a strong showing that marks a notable shift in the capital’s political landscape. I campaigned for a change from 45 years of LDF misrule, but the voters have ultimately rewarded another party that also sought a clear change in governance.”He added, “That is the beauty of democracy. The people’s verdict must be respected, whether for the UDF overall or for the BJP in my constituency.”Tharoor attributed the UDF’s impressive showing to hard work, a strong political message, and anti-incumbency sentiment, noting significant improvement from their 2020 local body poll performance.The Congress MP also recognised the BJP’s breakthrough in the state capital, congratulating them on their significant victory in the Thiruvananthapuram city corporation. He mentioned that while he had campaigned for change from LDF rule, voters chose a different alternative for governance change.UDF party workers gathered outside Maharaja’s College in Kochi, one of the key counting centres in Ernakulam district, celebrating with slogans of “UDF Zindabad,” waving party flags, and dancing to drumbeats.The latest figures indicate a considerable advantage for the UDF compared to earlier trends, particularly in urban and semi-urban areas.

Former India cricketer Robin Uthappa has proposed a tactical tweak to India’s playing XI ahead of the third T20I against South Africa, calling for a change that could reshape the middle order. With the five-match series delicately poised, Uthappa believes India can gain a decisive edge by promoting a star batter to No. 3 while keeping their opening combination intact. The third T20I is scheduled to be played at Dharamsala on Sunday, December 14.

Robin Uthappa advocates of including Sanju Samson in the playing XI

Speaking on Star Sports’ show Follow the Blues, Uthappa opined that India should look beyond continuity and instead focus on maximising batting impact. He suggested that Sanju Samson should replace Jitesh Sharma in the XI and bat at No. 3, a move that would push Suryakumar Yadav and Tilak Varma one position down the order.

According to Uthappa, Samson’s ability to handle pace and spin alike makes him an ideal candidate to control the innings during the powerplay extension and early middle overs. He stressed that such a move could help India dictate terms rather than react to match situations.

Despite recommending a bold change in the middle order, Uthappa was clear about retaining the opening pair. He backed Shubman Gill and Abhishek Sharma to continue at the top, citing their complementary styles and potential to provide brisk starts.

“I would like to see Shubman and Abhishek Sharma opening the batting. Complete left field here, Sanju Samson at No. 3, Suryakumar Yadav at No. 4 and Tilak Varma at No. 5, and then so on and so forth,” said Uthappa.

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Depth and balance still intact in Uthappa’s XI

One of the major talking points around any reshuffle is whether it disrupts team balance. However, Uthappa dismissed those concerns, pointing out that India would still boast formidable depth in both batting and bowling.

With Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube and Axar Patel to follow in the lower middle order, Uthappa believes India would effectively have eight genuine batting options. At the same time, the bowling attack remains strong with a mix of pace and spin, led by Jasprit Bumrah and Arshdeep Singh, alongside Varun Chakaravarthy.

“You still have Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube and Axar Patel. So your eight batters are sorted, and you have five bowlers. I would love to see that XI. I think that would be the ideal XI for India,” added Uthappa.

Robin Uthappa’s playing XI of Team India for the third T20I:

Abhishek Sharma, Shubman Gill, Sanju Samson, Suryakumar Yadav, Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Axar Patel, Varun Chakaravarthy, Arshdeep Singh, Jasprit Bumrah

Also READ: IND vs SA, 3rd T20I: Dharamsala Pitch Report, HPCA International Stadium Stats and Records

NEW DELHI: Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Delhi unit President Saurabh Bharadwaj on Sunday criticised chief minister Rekha Gupta over the worsening air quality in the national capital, stating that she is unaware of the Air Quality Index (AQI) and its parameters, adding that she must leave the pollution problem for the experts to deal with.Speaking to ANI, Bharadwaj said, “This government has been in power for almost a year. Nowhere in this country are there incidents of stubble burning. The condition of pollution is that even inside a closed room, we can see smog. The CM of Delhi doesn’t know what AQI is? She says any instrument can measure AQI. She can’t even properly pronounce AQI. What will the people of Delhi expect from the Chief Minister for the next 4 years?”“I think experts should come in front and the Chief Minister should take a step back,” he added.Residents of Delhi on Sunday expressed deep concern over deteriorating air quality as the city’s AQI surged to 497, remaining in the ‘severe’ category, according to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).Locals reported experiencing breathing difficulties, eye irritation and other health issues due to the worsening pollution levels. Many residents also expressed concern for vulnerable groups, including the elderly and children, who are more susceptible to respiratory problems.Speaking to ANI, Suresh, a resident of Jalgaon, highlighted the importance of clean air for health and well-being.According to CPCB, the AQI, which ranges from 0 to 500, is divided into six categories, each reflecting the level of pollution and associated health risks.As per the AQI categorisation, readings between 0-50 are classified as ‘good’, 51-100 ‘satisfactory’, 101-200 ‘moderate’, 201-300 ‘poor’, 301-400 ‘very poor’, and 401-500 ‘severe’.In response to the severe pollution, the Delhi Government’s Directorate of Education on Saturday directed that schools conduct classes for grades IX and XI in hybrid mode. This decision followed the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) invoking Stage IV of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) as AQI levels approached the ‘severe’ mark.

Stock market outlook: The markets this week were driven by macroeconomic pressures and mixed global cues. Domestically, the rupee slid to a fresh record low of 90.56 against the US dollar, dampening risk sentiment. However, some relief came after the US Federal Reserve announced a 25-basis-point rate cut, while optimism over progress in India–US trade talks helped cap further downside.Foreign Institutional Investors (FIIs) continued to trim equity exposure, keeping pressure on benchmarks. However, sustained buying by Domestic Institutional Investors (DIIs) provided partial support. For the week, the Nifty50 fell 139.50 points, or 0.53%, to close at 26,046, while the BSE Sensex declined 445 points to settle at 85,268.Markets saw a mild correction, with the Nifty trading in a downward consolidation phase before ending the week in the red.

Key cues to watch the upcoming week

India–US trade talks: Developments on the India–US trade front will remain in focus and could influence both equities and the rupee.Domestic data: The week ahead features key releases, including Wholesale Price Index (WPI) inflation and trade balance data. Flash readings of the HSBC Composite, Manufacturing and Services PMI will also be tracked for early signals on economic momentum.Currency movement: The rupee remains under pressure due to continued FPI outflows from both bonds and equities. Rising global yields and the unwinding of USD and JPY carry trades are adding stress to Indian bonds.“There are, however, incremental positives around the India–US trade deal, which could provide intermittent relief to the rupee. Overall, we expect a broad trading range of 89.50–91.00 on spot,” said Anindya Banerjee, Head Currency and Commodity at Kotak Securities, as reported by ET.FII-DII activity: Earlier on Friday, FIIs were net sellers to the tune of Rs 396.26 crore, while DIIs remained strong buyers with net inflows of Rs 2,828.21 crore.Technical front: The Nifty has reclaimed its key short-term moving average (20 DEMA) near the 25,950 level. Holding above this zone will be crucial to sustain the recovery and could open the path toward the record high of 26,300, with further upside potential up to 26,550.However, caution remains warranted. “Failure to maintain this support could lead to a retest of the previous swing low near 25,700, followed by the major support around 25,400, which coincides with the 100 DEMA,” said Ajit Mishra, SVP, Research at Religare Broking.He advised investors to remain selective, sating that, “participants should stay selective and maintain a balanced approach amid ongoing currency volatility and mixed global cues. Besides, traders should avoid chasing stocks facing negative news flow in anticipation of a rebound and wait for clear signs of stability before taking fresh exposure.”Sector-specific cues: The Auto retail activity stayed steady during the week, with November registrations rising 2% year-on-year across passenger vehicles, three-wheelers, commercial vehicles and tractors. Meanwhile, disclosures on public sector banks writing off Rs 6.15 lakh crore of loans over the past five-and-a-half years kept the financial space in focus.Commenting on Friday’s session, Ajit Mishra, said, “Markets extended their rebound on Friday, gaining over 0.5% on the back of favorable global cues. After a gap-up start, the Nifty saw some early volatility, but steady buying in index heavyweights helped the benchmark close near the day’s high at 26,046.95. All key sectors, barring FMCG, contributed to the up move, with metals, realty, and energy leading the gains. The broader indices moved in tandem, rising nearly 1% each and reflecting improved market breadth.”“The positive momentum was supported by global sentiment, particularly optimism stemming from the Fed’s recent rate-cut stance, which boosted risk appetite across equities. Domestic flows also remained healthy, with sustained retail and mutual fund buying, supported by stable macro indicators and improved liquidity conditions. However, foreign flows were mixed due to currency volatility and ongoing discussions around US–India trade dynamics.“With currency volatility, global cues and key data releases in play, market participants are likely to remain cautious as trading resumes this week.(Disclaimer: Recommendations and views on the stock market, other asset classes or personal finance management tips given by experts are their own. These opinions do not represent the views of The Times of India)

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Morning Tours Of The Former Raj Bhavan Open Doors To Its History

MUMBAI: Enjoying a slight nip in the Dec morning air, around 24 women enter the sprawling, still-sleeping bungalow through a side gate. Gun-toting police personnel ensure that nobody enters without a security check. As the clock strikes 6, Nagesh Rodewad, a staff member in the PRO office doubling up as a guide, meets us near the gate. “Please do not speak loudly as the staff members are still sleeping and use the washroom if you need, as you will not get time to go to the loo for the next one hour,” declares Rodewad as many line up outside the lone loo in the vicinity.We are at the Maharashtra Lok Bhavan, till recently Raj Bhavan, at Malabar Hill, an oasis built by the British as the nucleus of their rule in what was then Bombay Presidency, the residence of British governors and governors of Maharashtra since independence. The noticeable change in the name of the governor’s residence, from Raj Bhavan to Lok Bhavan, is on the massive main gate where it is emblazoned in bold golden letters and the fleet of cars parked under a shade a few minutes’ walk from the incumbent Governor Acharya Devvrat’s two-storey bungalow on the sprawling plot stretching 47 acres.These women, members of a Byculla-based ‘ladies club’ formed by wives of Central Railways’ employees, and three men are tourists visiting this Lok Bhavan. Ever since former president Pranab Mukherjee ordered the opening of the Rashtrapati Bhavan in Delhi and all the governors’ houses in the country to the aam junta in 2015, the Maharashtra Lok Bhavan hosts tourists, not more than 30 a day. The online booking at Rs 150 per tourist is done on the 10th of every month for the following month. “We keep organising picnics and visits for our members. We decided to see this iconic place about which we had only heard of and seen in reels and photographs,” says Kimaya Kamle, a motorman’s wife. “This is such a beautiful place, a gem in the city’s crown.”Its majestic setting on an ancient hill, beautiful sunrise point, British-era heritage buildings, lush, manicured lawns, a garden, a helipad, an ancient temple, and an underground British-era bunker rediscovered in 2016 earn it the nickname of ‘Queen of Lok (Raj) Bhavans’ in India. “For 140 years, since 1885, it was Government House and Governor House and hosted kings and queens, presidents and prime ministers. This is truly an iconic place,” explains Umesh Kashikar, the governor’s PRO.Before Lord Reay moved here as governor of Bombay in 1885, it served as the summer residence of British governors and those representing the East India Company till 1858. Governor Robert Grant called the place hugged by the sea from three sides “perfectly healthy.” We move to Jal Vihar, the 1875-built white banquet hall where the governor hosts dignitaries, most recently PM Narendra Modi and UK PM Keir Starmer. Perhaps the tour’s most exciting moment is below the ancient rocks, on the deck to view the sunrise. With mobile cameras ready, eyes fixed on the eastern horizon glowing in a golden hue, the tourists await the amazing moment. Behold, slowly emerging between the soaring buildings of Air India and Trident Hotel, is the enchantingly beautiful sun, its first rays heralding the day. Three friends, Nilesh Pawar, an IT engineer, and BDS students Shantanu Vichare and Mayur Kale, train their mobile cameras, creating selfies and reels. “We came here because we saw the reels of the sunrise and buildings. We will tell other friends to visit it,” says Pawar.Before the tour ends near the plaque commemorating the declaration of Maharashtra as a state by Jawaharlal Nehru on May 1, 1960, with a brief history of the Lok Bhavan by Kashikar, we are offered tea and coffee with biscuits at the chandelier-adorned majestic Durbar Hall, site of swearing-in ceremonies. They pledge to see it again. 

Vaibhav Suryavanshi (ACC Photo)

NEW DELHI: Pakistan drew first blood in the high-voltage ACC Men’s U19 Asia Cup 2025 clash against India as pacer Mohammad Sayyam produced an early breakthrough to dismiss the in-form Vaibhav Suryavanshi for just five runs at the ICC Academy Ground in Dubai.Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!There was wild celebration from the Pakistan camp as Sayyam struck with a decisive delivery to remove India’s most dangerous batter cheaply.

The Pakistan dugout rose to its feet and applauded as Suryavanshi, who had tormented bowlers in the previous match, was sent back early. Sayyam bowled a probing delivery that Suryavanshi failed to judge properly, resulting in a simple catch to the bowler in his follow-through.After completing the catch, Sayyam threw the ball into the air and leapt in celebration, with his teammates rushing in to hug him as Pakistan celebrated a massive early success against their arch-rivals.Earlier, Pakistan captain Farhan Yousaf won the toss and opted to bowl first. The much-anticipated India U19 vs Pakistan U19 contest was reduced to 49 overs per side after rain delayed the start of play.Watch the video hereIndia, led by Ayush Mhatre, entered the match brimming with confidence after registering a commanding 234-run victory over UAE in their tournament opener on December 12. Suryavanshi had been the standout performer in that match, earning the Player of the Match award for his sensational 171 off 95 balls, an innings that featured nine fours and 14 sixes. His knock powered India to a mammoth 433 for 6, before UAE were restricted to 199 for 7.Pakistan U19, meanwhile, also came into the contest on the back of a dominant opening win. They thrashed Malaysia U19 by 297 runs, with Sameer Minhas producing a superb unbeaten 177 off 148 deliveries, including 11 fours and eight sixes, to earn the Player of the Match honour.Minhas’ innings helped Pakistan post 345 for 3, after which Malaysia were skittled out for just 48 runs, with Mohammad Sayyam and Ali Raza picking up three wickets apiece, underlining Pakistan’s bowling firepower ahead of the India clash.Pakistan U19 (Playing XI): Usman Khan, Sameer Minhas, Ali Hassan Baloch, Ahmed Hussain, Farhan Yousaf(captain), Hamza Zahoor(wicketkeeper), Huzaifa Ahsan, Niqab Shafiq, Abdul Subhan, Mohammad Sayyam, Ali Raza.India U19 (Playing XI): Ayush Mhatre (captain), Vaibhav Suryavanshi, Aaron George, Vihaan Malhotra, Vedant Trivedi, Abhigyan Kundu(wicketkeeper), Kanishk Chouhan, Khilan Patel, Deepesh Devendran, Kishan Kumar Singh, Henil Patel.

As the new year approaches, a clear theme is emerging on Wall Street, the technology giants that powered the bull market may no longer dominate market gains.Strategists at firms such as Bank of America and Morgan Stanley are advising clients to look beyond the so-called Magnificent Seven, a group that includes Nvidia and Amazon and shift toward less popular sectors. Health care, industrials and energy are now among the preferred picks for 2026, Bloomberg reported.For years, Big Tech stocks were seen as a safe bet, backed by strong balance sheets and robust profits. But doubts are growing over whether the sector can continue to justify its high valuations and heavy spending on artificial intelligence. Tech stocks have surged nearly 300% since the bull market began three years ago, but recent earnings from AI-linked firms Oracle and Broadcom, which fell short of lofty expectations, have added to investor unease.

Rotation away from big tech?

At the same time, optimism around the broader US economy is building, encouraging investors to rotate into lagging segments of the S&P 500 at the expense of megacap tech. “I’m hearing about people taking money out of the Magnificent Seven trade, and they’re going elsewhere in the market,” Craig Johnson, chief market technician at Piper Sandler & Co told Bloomberg.“They’re not just going to be chasing the Microsofts and Amazons anymore, they’re going to be broadening this trade out,” Johnson added. Signs of this shift are already visible. Investors are moving into undervalued cyclical stocks, small caps and economically sensitive sectors. Since US equities hit a near-term low on November 20, the small-cap Russell 2000 Index has risen 11%, while a Bloomberg gauge of the Magnificent Seven has gained roughly half that amount. Over the same period, the S&P 500 Equal Weight Index has outperformed the traditional, market-cap-weighted index.Strategas Asset Management expects this trend to continue. Chairman Jason De Sena Trennert said the firm sees a “great sector rotation” into this year’s underperformers, such as financials and consumer discretionary stocks, in 2026. Morgan Stanley’s research team echoed that view in its year-ahead outlook.“We think Big Tech can still do OK but will lag these new areas, most notably consumer discretionary, especially goods and small- and mid-caps,” Michael Wilson, Morgan Stanley’s chief US equity strategist and chief investment officer told Bloomberg.Wilson said the broadening of market leadership could be supported by an “early-cycle backdrop,” following an economic trough in April. Such phases typically benefit cyclical sectors like financials and industrials. Bank of America’s Michael Hartnett said markets are already positioning for a “run-it-hot” strategy in 2026, rotating into ” Main Street” mid caps, small caps and micro caps from Wall Street megacaps.Fundamentals appear to support the case for a broader rally. Earnings growth for the S&P 493, the index excluding the seven largest companies, is expected to rise to 9% in 2026 from 7% this year. Meanwhile, the earnings share of the top seven firms is projected to fall to 46% from 50%, according to Goldman Sachs.Still, some investors want more proof. Michael Bailey, director of research at FBB Capital Partners, said investors will look for confirmation that the S&P 493 can meet or beat earnings expectations. “If jobs and inflation data remain status quo and the Federal Reserve is still easing, we could see a bullish move in the 493 next year,” he said. The Federal Reserve cut interest rates for the third straight time this week and signaled another reduction next year.(Disclaimer: Recommendations and views on the stock market and other asset classes given by experts are their own. These opinions do not represent the views of The Times of India)

NEW DELHI: The BJP on Saturday launched a sharp attack on West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee over the chaos at Kolkata’s Salt Lake stadium during Argentine football star Lionel Messi’s appearance, with Leader of the Opposition Suvendu Adhikari accusing the state government of gross mismanagement and making three demands, including Banerjee’s resignation.Reacting to the disorder at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan, Adhikari posted on X, saying, “Shame on you, Mamata Banerjee ! The ‘Khela Hobe’ Circus Turns into a TMC Loot-Fest at Yuva Bharati ! What a pathetic spectacle in Kolkata today ! Our football-crazed Bengali Fans, dreaming of a glimpse of the GOAT Lionel Messi, shelled out thousands for tickets, only to be treated like second-class citizens in their own state.“He alleged that while senior Trinamool Congress leaders and their associates surrounded Messi, ordinary fans were left disappointed. “While Arup Biswas, Sujit Bose, and their bootlicking entourage of 100+ VIP vultures swarmed Messi like leeches on a bloodbath, the real fans? Stuck in galleries, staring at a measly 5-7 minutes on a giant screen ! No direct view, just betrayal,” he wrote.

Adhikari also accused organisers and the state administration of exploiting spectators. “And get this: Water bottles banned inside, forcing desperate fans to cough up ₹200 for a ₹20 bottle? Classic TMC extortion racket !” he said, adding that the event had been turned into a political photo opportunity and profit exercise. “This isn’t just mismanagement; it’s a criminal assault on West Bengal’s pride and betrayal of our passionate football lovers. Enough is enough !”Listing his demands, Adhikari said, “FULL 100% REFUND for every gallery ticket holder, return every paisa you stole,” called for the “IMMEDIATE ARREST of Sports Minister Arup Biswas, Fire Minister Sujit Bose, and sham organizer Shatadru Dutta,” and asserted that “MAMATA BANERJEE MUST RESIGN for dragging West Bengal’s name through the mud on the global stage.”The BJP leader’s remarks came hours after chaos erupted at the stadium, where thousands of fans protested after failing to get a clear view of Messi during the much-publicised event. Messi, accompanied by Luis Suárez and Rodrigo De Paul, arrived at the venue around 11.30 am but remained tightly cordoned off by security and VIPs. His brief appearance and early exit sparked anger among spectators, leading to vandalism, slogan-shouting and a police baton charge to control the crowd.Meanwhile, BJP MP and spokesperson Sudhanshu Trivedi in a press conference said, “The kind of mismanagement and sophistry took place, ashamed every Indian… Mamata Banerjee tweeted that she is ‘deeply disturbed by this event’, but I want to clear that it is West Bengal which is deeply devastated under your rule… This is the evidence of the tragic situation the state has reached… Similar situation happened in Bengaluru after IPL and in Tamil Nadu as well... This shows that the leadership in these states consider itself above the law… This shows the character of all the leaders of INDI alliance…” Following the incident, Banerjee expressed shock over the mismanagement and ordered a high-level enquiry. In a post on X, she apologised to Messi and football fans, saying, “I am deeply disturbed and shocked by the mismanagement witnessed today at Salt Lake stadium.” She announced that a committee headed by retired Calcutta High Court judge Justice Ashim Kumar Ray would investigate the episode, fix responsibility and recommend corrective measures.The disorder also drew criticism from Bengal governor C V Ananda Bose, who termed it a dark day for Kolkata’s sports culture and called for action against the organisers. Ticket prices for the event ranged from Rs 4,500 to Rs 10,000, and many fans said they had spent large sums only to leave disappointed.The episode has since escalated into a political flashpoint, with the BJP accusing the Trinamool Congress of turning a marquee sporting event into what Adhikari described as a “corrupt circus,” while the state government has promised accountability through a formal probe.

Image: X@/IsraelWarRoom, AP

The Israeli military said it killed Raad Saad, a senior commander of Hamas’s Qassam Brigades, in a targeted strike on a car in the Gaza Strip on Saturday. According to Israeli authorities, Saad played a key role in planning the Hamas-led attack on southern Israel on October 7, 2023, which triggered the ongoing two-year conflict in Gaza.The strike marks the most high-profile assassination of a senior Hamas figure since a ceasefire was declared two months ago.

The strike targeted a vehicle travelling along Rashid Road on the Hamas-controlled side of the Gaza ceasefire line, Palestinian media reported, citing four people killed and more than 20 injured. In a joint statement, Israel’s prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu and defence minister Israel Katz said Raad Saad was killed in retaliation for an earlier incident in which two Israeli troops were injured by an explosive in southern Gaza.Saad “was one of the architects of the October 7 massacre and in recent days had been engaged in restoring the terror organization and in planning and carrying out attacks against Israel, as well as rebuilding an attack force, in blatant violation of the ceasefire rules and Hamas’s commitments to respect President [Donald] Trump’s plan,” Netanyahu and Katz stated, as cited by Times of Israel.Netanyahu stated that he and the defence minister had personally authorized the operation to assassinate Saad.Saad, a long-time Hamas member, had gradually risen through the ranks to become the second-in-command of the group’s armed wing, according to two Arab intelligence officials, as cited by NYT. According to the Israeli military, Saad founded and commanded Hamas’s Gaza City Brigade and played a key role in establishing the group’s naval force. He was later appointed chief of Hamas’s operations headquarters.In that role, Saad helped plan the group’s operation to infiltrate Israel and target the IDF’s Gaza Division, known to the military as “Jericho’s Walls.” The operation was launched on October 7, 2023, triggering the ongoing conflict in Gaza.Saad, as operations chief, helped establish Hamas’s elite Nukhba Force, which led the October 7 invasion of Israel. In 2021, he was removed from his position as operations chief by then-Hamas leader in Gaza, Yahya Sinwar, reportedly due to personal disagreements.Following his dismissal, Saad continued to serve in other roles within Hamas’s military wing, most recently as chief of the group’s weapons manufacturing headquarters and as a deputy to Hamas’s most recent military chief, Izz al-Din Hadadd.Saad survived multiple Israeli assassination attempts, including the most recent in June 2024. He was reportedly at Gaza City’s Shifa Hospital during an Israeli raid in March of that year but is believed to have escaped unharmed.Saad’s arrests date back decades: he was jailed by Israel in 1990 for his involvement with Hamas and later detained by the Palestinian Authority in the late 1990s, as cited by Times of Israel.The assassination of Saad could further strain the fragile truce between Israel and Hamas, which has already been tested by repeated bouts of violence.The truce has not fully halted the fighting. According to local health officials, Israeli attacks have killed more than 300 Palestinians, including children, since the agreement took effect. The Israeli military reports that at least three Israeli soldiers have also been killed in combat.