Deir al-Balah, May 28:
Israel said Wednesday that it had killed Mohammed Odeh, the newly appointed leader of Hamas’ military wing, in an airstrike in Gaza City carried out a day earlier.
Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz and the Israeli military described Odeh as one of the main planners of the October 7, 2023 Hamas attack on Israel that triggered the ongoing war in Gaza. Hamas did not immediately comment on the announcement.
According to local hospitals in Gaza, at least five people were killed in Tuesday’s strike, including Odeh, his wife, son, daughter and another woman, while 12 others were injured.
The strike took place on the eve of Eid al-Adha, one of the most important holidays in Islam.
Thousands of mourners gathered in Gaza City on Wednesday for the funeral procession of Odeh and his family members.
Their bodies were wrapped in green Hamas flags as crowds marched through the streets chanting slogans and firing shots into the air.
Some mourners carried posters describing Odeh as one of the senior commanders of Hamas’ armed wing, the Qassam Brigades.
Katz said Odeh was the fourth Hamas military chief killed by Israel since the October 2023 attacks. His predecessor, Izz al-Din al-Haddad, was reportedly killed on May 16.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also vowed that Israel would continue targeting everyone involved in the October 7 attack.
The strike came during a sombre Eid in Gaza, where most residents remain displaced after more than two years of war.
According to United Nations estimates, around 90 per cent of Gaza’s population has lost their homes, forcing many people to live in overcrowded tent camps with poor sanitation and limited access to food, water and medical care.
Residents said the continuing violence and humanitarian crisis had overshadowed the holiday celebrations.
Although a ceasefire reached in October remains in place, it has been fragile. Palestinian officials say more than 880 Palestinians have been killed in Israeli attacks since the truce began, while four Israeli soldiers have also died during the same period.
Israel launched its offensive after Hamas’ October 2023 attack killed around 1,200 people and saw 251 hostages taken.
Gaza’s Health Ministry says more than 72,800 Palestinians have been killed since the war began, though it does not distinguish between civilians and militants.