Israeli Strike Kills New Hamas Military Leader in Gaza City

Hamas confirmed Wednesday that Israeli airstrikes killed its new military wing leader Mohammed Odeh in Gaza City on Tuesday. The group said Odeh died along with his wife and two children when a strike hit a residential building. Odeh had assumed the role 11 days earlier, replacing Izz al-Din al-Haddad who Israel killed earlier this month.

Hamas’s armed wing issued the confirmation after Israel had already announced the death.

A funeral took place for Odeh, described by family members as the leader of Hamas’s military wing. No official statement from Hamas accompanied the family confirmation. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Odeh had served as head of Hamas intelligence during the October 7 attacks. Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz called Odeh one of the architects of those attacks.

The strike marks the second time in less than two weeks that Israel has killed the head of Hamas’s military wing. Both deaths occurred in Gaza City. Hamas stated that the attacks on its leadership have continued amid the ongoing war that began after the October 7 attacks more than two years ago.