The Israeli military announced on Wednesday that it has successfully targeted and killed Mohammed Odeh, the newly appointed commander of Hamas`s military wing, in an airstrike in northern Gaza. The strategic operation occurred on Tuesday evening in Gaza City, further threatening a fragile regional ceasefire that has been under continuous strain. The Palestinian independent group and its armed faction, the Al-Qassam Brigades, have not yet issued an official response to the claim.The development marks another major escalation within the ongoing Middle East conflict.
According to a joint statement released by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) and the Shin Bet domestic security agency, Odeh was neutralized following months of precise intelligence tracking. Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz confirmed that Odeh, who previously served as the head of Hamas intelligence, had taken command of the brigades approximately one week ago. He succeeded Izz al-Din al-Haddad, the previous general commander who was killed in a similar targeted strike on May 15.
Local medical sources and witnesses reported that the strike struck the upper three floors of the al-Kayali residential building located in the busy Rimal neighborhood. The high-altitude deployment occurred on the eve of Eid al-Adha, a major Muslim festival, leaving a Palestinian woman and several family members dead while wounding more than 20 others. Civil defense crews rushed to the scene but faced difficulty accessing the upper residential units due to structural debris.
Katz stated that the elimination aligns with Washington and Tel Aviv`s stated objectives to permanently dismantle Hamas`s military control over the enclave. Political analysts suggest that executing high-profile operations during sensitive truce phases could compromise broader multi-lateral negotiations. As search teams continue to clear the site, international monitors warn that regional operations may expand significantly in the coming days.
