Israeli military officials announced Wednesday they successfully targeted and eliminated the newly appointed commander of Hamas’ armed forces in Tuesday’s airstrikes on Gaza City, marking another high-profile killing less than two weeks after eliminating his predecessor.
Defense Minister Israel Katz and Israeli military sources confirmed the Tuesday operations resulted in the death of Mohammed Odeh, who they identified as the latest military chief of the organization.
Relatives of an individual named Mohammed Odeh verified his death in the bombing but did not verify his role as the military commander. Hamas leadership has remained silent on the matter.
Katz described him as “one of the architects” of the Oct. 7, 2023, attacks that sparked more than two years of conflict in Gaza and noted this marks the fourth occasion Israel has eliminated the commander of Hamas’ armed wing since that assault. The prior commander, Izz al-Din al-Haddad, was eliminated on May 16.
Tuesday’s bombing resulted in a minimum of three fatalities and 12 wounded individuals, occurring just before Eid al-Adha, an important Islamic celebration.
“We pledged to eliminate everyone who led the October 7 massacre and this is what we will do: they are all bound to die, everywhere,” Katz posted on X Wednesday. “We pledged that Hamas will not hold civilian or military rule.”
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who faces upcoming fall elections, similarly vowed that Israel would pursue all participants in the Oct. 7, 2023, assault.
The bombing occurred while Muslims were making preparations for Eid al-Adha, typically a celebratory period marked by family reunions and festive meals.
The religious observance remains muted again this year throughout Gaza, where the overwhelming majority of residents continue living as refugees in makeshift accommodations following the destructive conflict. Approximately 90% of Gaza’s population exceeding 2 million has lost their residences, based on U.N. data, with most now housed in massive temporary encampments plagued by rodent problems and standing wastewater. Survival depends entirely on humanitarian assistance.
Eid al-Adha, known as the “Feast of Sacrifice,” represents a significant Islamic observance celebrated by millions of Muslims worldwide. The four-day celebration, which coincides with the Hajj pilgrimage, traditionally brings families together while children receive new clothing and presents.
“This is not Eid … we’re dead,” stated Mahmoud Saqer, a refugee from Khan Younis, describing residents as traumatized by the continuing human tragedy and violence throughout the region.
Throughout Khan Younis and Gaza City, surrounded by demolished structures including a destroyed mosque, residents assembled for Eid prayers with minimal festive atmosphere except for occasional balloon displays along one roadway. Tahrir al-Khatib observed that the happiness typically associated with Eid has been extinguished in Gaza.
“There’s no Eid. My children were killed. Eid is only for the people who lost no one,” expressed Ayda Al-Banna, a displaced woman from Gaza City, who attended Eid prayers alongside her granddaughter.
A truce established between Israel and Hamas last October continues to face challenges. Israeli military operations have resulted in over 880 Palestinian deaths since the ceasefire began. Israel maintains its operations respond to Hamas violations or dangers to its forces, though Palestinian medical authorities report numerous civilians among the casualties. Four Israeli military personnel have also died during this timeframe in Gaza.
Israel initiated its Gaza campaign following the Hamas assault in October 2023, which resulted in approximately 1,200 deaths and 251 individuals taken captive.
Gaza’s Palestinian Health Ministry reports more than 72,700 Palestinians have died from Israeli military action. The ministry, operating under Gaza’s Hamas administration, does not separate civilian and combatant casualties.
