Israel says killed Hamas military commander Mohammed Odeh in Gaza strike

Israel has said it killed the newly appointed commander of Hamas’ military wing, Mohammed Odeh, in a strike in northern Gaza on Monday, just days after his predecessor was killed in a similar operation.

According to a CNN report, citing a joint statement by the Israeli military and security agency, Odeh — who Israel said played a key role in planning the October 7, 2023 attack — had been under surveillance for months.

He was killed in an operation targeting locations in Gaza City, which he “used to hideout,” the statement added.

“His elimination constitutes a significant blow to the Hamas terrorist organisation’s rehabilitation efforts,” said the statement.

Odeh was a member of the military council of the Izz al-Din al-Qassam Brigades and served as head of intelligence for Hamas’ military wing.

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Israel described him as the de facto leader of the military wing following the killing of former commander Izz al-Din al-Haddad earlier this month.

“Hamas’ intelligence headquarters, under Odeh’s command, aided and advanced Hamas’ terrorist activities and operations, posing a threat to IDF troops and Israeli civilians,” said the Israeli statement.

Basem Naim, a member of Hamas’ political bureau, confirmed Odeh’s death on social media, referring to him as a “heroic martyr.”

Odeh’s family also mourned him, using his nom de guerre Abu Amro in a Facebook post, and said five members of the family were killed in the same strike.

Israel has previously targeted and killed several senior Hamas figures, including Yahya Sinwar, his brother Mohammed Sinwar, and Mohammed Deif.

With inputs from agencies