Major Blow to Hamas: Israel Claims Killing of Military Chief Mohammed Odeh
Israel Strikes Hamas Leadership
Jerusalem: Israel has reported the death of Mohammed Odeh, a senior commander of Hamas, following a targeted airstrike in Gaza City. Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz characterized this operation as a significant setback for the militant organization.
Israeli officials indicated that Odeh was killed during a coordinated effort by the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) and the Shin Bet, which followed extensive intelligence gathering and surveillance of his activities.
In a statement on X, Katz remarked, "The fourth commander of Hamas's military faction in Gaza has been eliminated and is now facing his fate in the depths of hell."
Officials noted that Odeh had recently taken over leadership of Hamas's military wing after the death of Izz al-Din al-Haddad earlier this month.
מפקד הזרוע הצבאית מספר 4 של ארגון הטרור חמאס בעזה חוסל אתמול ונשלח לפגוש את שותפיו במעמקי הגיהינום.
בשם רה”מ ובשמי, ברכות לצה”ל ולשב”כ על הביצוע המבריק.
התחייבנו לחסל את כל מי שהוביל את טבח ה-7 באוקטובר וכך נעשה: כולם בני מוות בכל מקום.
התחייבנו שהחמאס לא ישלוט אזרחית וצבאית… pic.twitter.com/b5ryB4tHz7
— ישראל כ”ץ Israel Katz (@Israel_katz) May 27, 2026
Reports from Hamas-affiliated sources in Gaza suggest that Odeh's wife and children may have also been killed in the strike.
Katz praised the operation, commending the Israeli military and intelligence for what he described as a "brilliant execution."
"We are committed to eliminating all those responsible for the October 7 massacre, and we will follow through on that promise," Katz stated, as reported by a news outlet. "They are all marked for death, everywhere."
The Defence Minister reiterated Israel's goal of dismantling Hamas's governance in Gaza and advancing a plan for what he termed "voluntary emigration" from the region.
"Everything will happen at the right time and in the right way," he added.
In a joint announcement, the IDF and Shin Bet confirmed that multiple locations in Gaza City, believed to be used by Odeh and his associates, were targeted during the operation.
The Israeli military also reported that an apartment linked to another Hamas member involved in the October 7 attacks was struck during the operation.
According to the IDF, Odeh had previously led Hamas's intelligence operations before assuming the role of military chief just last week.
Israeli security agencies accused him of playing a crucial role in orchestrating the October 7 assault on Israel and later directing attacks against Israeli forces amid the ongoing conflict.
The agencies described Odeh as one of the last high-ranking Hamas military leaders connected to the October 7 attacks, asserting that his death dealt a "significant blow" to Hamas's attempts to reorganize and restore its military capabilities.