Israel announces strike on new Hamas armed wing commander

Israel states it targeted Mohammed Odeh, the new commander of Hamas's armed wing, over a week after he assumed leadership.

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) announced on 26/5 that they conducted a strike in the Gaza Strip targeting Mohammed Odeh, the new commander of Hamas's armed wing. The operation was carried out under orders from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz. The IDF identified Odeh as one of the masterminds behind the 10/2023 attack.

An Israeli source informed Kan news channel that preliminary intelligence indicated Odeh's death in the strike. However, neither the IDF nor Hamas has confirmed this information.

Mohammed Odeh (far right) with Hamas commanders and leaders. *Photo: ToI*

Gaza's civil defense agency reported that at least three people were killed and 20 injured in the Israeli airstrike on the Rimal district, west of Gaza City.

Odeh's appointment as commander of the Al-Qassam Brigades, Hamas's armed wing, followed the killing of his predecessor, Izz al-Din al-Haddad, by Israel on 15/5. Israeli officials indicated that Mohammed Odeh had previously led Hamas's intelligence unit.

Prime Minister Netanyahu has consistently vowed that Israel will target and eliminate those responsible for the 7/10/2023 attack, which claimed over 1,200 lives. Subsequently, Israeli military and intelligence operations have regularly focused on senior Hamas leaders and commanders within the Gaza Strip and the broader Middle East region.

Israel's operation in the Gaza Strip has resulted in more than 72,800 Palestinian deaths.