Israeli authorities said Mohammed Odeh, who had recently assumed leadership of Hamas’s armed wing, was killed in an airstrike carried out in Gaza, coming days after his predecessor died in a similar operation.
According to local medics and witnesses, at least three Palestinians lost their lives while dozens of others were injured after the attack struck a residential building located in one of Gaza City’s busiest market districts.
Witnesses said several missiles hit the building within moments of each other from different directions. A resident also reported hearing helicopters hovering over the area shortly before the attack began.
Rescue and emergency workers moved to the scene immediately after the strike but reportedly encountered difficulties accessing upper sections of the damaged structure due to heavy destruction and crowd congestion.
Images from the area showed ambulances and civil defence personnel carrying out rescue operations as residents gathered nearby.
Israeli authorities also said a nearby apartment belonging to a Hamas member linked to the October 7 attacks and considered part of Odeh’s inner circle had also been targeted.
The office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described Mohammed Odeh as “one of the architects” of the October 7, 2023 attacks and accused him of involvement in killings, kidnappings and attacks against Israeli citizens and military personnel.
Odeh took over command following the death of Izz ad-Din al-Haddad, who was killed in another Israeli airstrike earlier in May. That attack also reportedly struck a residential building and resulted in at least three deaths.
Israeli military operations across Gaza have continued since the ceasefire that began on October 10. Hamas has repeatedly accused Israel of violating the agreement and carrying out attacks against civilians, while Israeli authorities have accused Hamas of failing to disarm.
According to Gaza’s health ministry, more than 800 people have died in Israeli strikes during the ceasefire period.
Progress on later stages of a US-backed peace proposal for Gaza has also remained stalled. Discussions on disarmament have yet to reach an agreement, while reports indicate Hamas has resumed some internal operations.
Israel said it would continue to pursue those involved in the October 7 attacks, during which close to 1,200 people were killed and about 251 others were taken hostage.
Israel’s military campaign that followed has left widespread destruction across Gaza and displaced large numbers of residents. Gaza’s health ministry says more than 72,744 people have been killed since the conflict began.
The latest strike in Gaza comes after Israeli strikes in Lebanon reportedly killed 11 people, with Israeli authorities saying Hezbollah sites were targeted.
Ojo Triumph
