Israel Says It Killed New Hamas Military-Wing Leader Mohammed Odeh

Israel says it targeted and killed Mohammed Odeh, described by Israeli officials as the new leader of Hamas’s military wing in Gaza, in airstrikes on Gaza City.

The strike took place Tuesday, with Israeli authorities announcing the killing Wednesday. The IDF and Shin Bet said several buildings in the heart of Gaza City were attacked after months of intelligence surveillance tracking Odeh’s movements and those of his aides.

The attack hit a residential building in one of Gaza City’s busy market areas, according to BBC reporting from local medics and witnesses. Al Jazeera reported that the Remal neighbourhood was struck as residents were preparing for Eid al-Adha.

Who was Mohammed Odeh?

Odeh was described by Israel as a senior Hamas military figure and a former intelligence chief involved in planning and coordinating the October 7, 2023 attacks.

He was reportedly selected only days earlier to succeed Izz al-Din al-Haddad, who was killed in an Israeli strike earlier in May. Hamas had confirmed al-Haddad’s death, but had not publicly announced Odeh’s appointment before the latest strike.

That makes the wording important. The claim is strongest as: Israel says it killed Mohammed Odeh, whom Israel and multiple reports identify as the newly chosen head of Hamas’s armed wing in Gaza.

What is confirmed?

BBC reported Wednesday that Hamas confirmed Odeh had been killed, along with his wife and two of his children. A local Hamas source and relatives also told the BBC that Odeh and his wife were killed, with one child dying later in hospital.

AP reported Palestinians mourning over the body of Mohammad Odeh at a funeral in Gaza City, while noting Israel described him as a leader of Hamas’s Qassam Brigades. Earlier Reuters-linked reporting said relatives confirmed the death and funeral, but not his precise military role.

Why it matters

If Israel’s account is accurate, Odeh’s killing would extend a rapid series of strikes against Hamas’s top military command structure.

The succession chain is already unstable. Israel has said it killed longtime Qassam Brigades commander Mohammed Deif, then Mohammed Sinwar, then Izz al-Din al-Haddad. Odeh was reportedly chosen after al-Haddad’s death, and was targeted less than two weeks later.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel would continue pursuing anyone involved in the October 7 attacks. Defense Minister Israel Katz said Israel was committed to preventing Hamas from governing Gaza “either civilly or militarily.”

The civilian toll question

The strike also renewed scrutiny over Israel’s continued military actions during the fragile ceasefire period. Witnesses told the BBC at least five missiles hit the building almost simultaneously, while rescue teams struggled to reach upper floors because of damage and congestion.

Al Jazeera cited a source at al-Shifa Hospital saying six people were killed and 20 wounded in Israeli attacks late Tuesday in western Gaza City. Israel said the targeted buildings served as Odeh’s hideouts and that a nearby apartment linked to a Hamas operative was also struck.

NoDechev rating: mostly verified, with attribution. Israel says it killed Mohammed Odeh, and BBC reports Hamas later confirmed his death. His status as the newly appointed military-wing chief is widely reported but was not formally announced by Hamas before the strike.