Hamas Military Wing Leader Killed in Gaza Strike

Israeli Authorities Claim Leader of Hamas’s Military Wing Killed in Air Strike

Israel has confirmed that Mohammed Odeh, the leader of Hamas’s military wing in Gaza, was killed in an air strike in the northern part of the strip. The Israeli Defence Minister, Israel Katz, stated on X that Odeh was eliminated during an attack on Tuesday evening. According to Israeli authorities, Odeh was targeted after months of intelligence monitoring aimed at tracking his movements and those of his operatives.

Hamas did not immediately respond to the claim. Odeh reportedly succeeded Izz al-Din al-Haddad as the head of the Qassam Brigades, the armed wing of Hamas, following al-Haddad’s death in an Israeli strike earlier this month. The Israeli military also stated that Odeh was responsible for planning and coordinating Hamas terrorist infiltration and attack targets during the October 7 massacre.

The Israeli army confirmed that six people were killed and 20 others wounded in Israeli attacks on the Remal neighbourhood in Gaza City late on Tuesday. Al Jazeera reported that there was significant destruction in the area, which is a busy neighborhood filled with markets and shops. The Israeli military claimed that Odeh was one of the last senior commanders in Hamas’s military wing to take part in planning and executing the October 7 massacre.

The killing comes as a fragile “ceasefire” between Israel and Hamas is under strain. Since the ceasefire took effect on October 11, at least 906 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza, according to the Ministry of Health. The cumulative death toll since October 7, 2023, stands at 72,803.

Source: Al Jazeera