Israeli military officials announced Wednesday they had successfully eliminated Mohammed Odeh, the recently appointed commander of Hamas’ military operations in Gaza, during a Tuesday operation that targeted multiple structures being used as hideouts in Gaza City. The operation followed months of intelligence gathering by Israeli Defense Forces and Shin Bet.
According to Israeli military sources, Odeh had assumed leadership of Hamas’ armed wing just last week following the death of Izz al-Din al-Haddad, who was killed by Israeli forces on May 15. Military officials stated that Odeh previously led Hamas’ military intelligence operations and accused him of participating in the planning and coordination of the October 7, 2023, assault on Israel that resulted in approximately 1,200 deaths and the abduction of around 250 individuals.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu initially announced Tuesday’s operation against Odeh on social media without confirming whether the target had been killed. “We have now attacked Mohammed Odeh in Gaza – the leader of Hamas’s military wing and one of the architects of the October 7 massacre. We will reach everyone,” Netanyahu posted online.
Defense Minister Israel Katz subsequently confirmed Odeh’s death in a joint announcement with Netanyahu, stating that the “commander of the armed wing of the Hamas terrorist organization in Gaza was eliminated yesterday and sent to meet his associates in the depths of hell.”
The military operation targeted Gaza City on the day before Eid al-Adha celebrations. Medical officials at Palestinian hospitals reported a minimum of three fatalities and 12 injuries from the strike, while Reuters cited Gaza officials claiming that Odeh’s wife, son, and three additional individuals were killed, with more than 20 people sustaining injuries.
Since the October 2023 attack, Israeli operations have resulted in the deaths of multiple high-ranking Hamas officials, including several successive leaders of the organization’s military branch. These targeted eliminations have significantly disrupted Hamas’ senior leadership structure, although the group maintains operations throughout Gaza using smaller units and regional commanders.
The operation took place despite an October ceasefire agreement that has not prevented continued Israeli military actions and ongoing Hamas activities in the territory. Health officials in Gaza report that more than 72,000 Palestinians have died since the conflict began, though this number does not differentiate between civilian casualties and combatants.
