Israel Claims Elimination of Hamas Military Chief Mohammed Odeh in Targeted Gaza Strike

Jerusalem, May 2026: Israel on Wednesday announced that Hamas military commander Mohammed Odeh has been killed in a targeted overnight strike in Gaza City, marking what Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz described as a significant setback to the militant group’s leadership structure.

According to Israeli authorities, the operation was carried out jointly by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) and internal security agency Shin Bet after months of intelligence gathering, surveillance, and tracking of Odeh’s movements. Officials said the strike was precisely planned and executed based on actionable intelligence.

Defence Minister Israel Katz confirmed the development in a post on social media platform X, stating, “The fourth commander of the Hamas terror organisation’s military wing in Gaza was eliminated yesterday and sent to meet his partners in the depths of hell.”

Israeli officials further said that Odeh had recently assumed leadership of Hamas’s military wing following the reported killing of his predecessor, Izz al-Din al-Haddad, earlier this month. His appointment reportedly came at a critical time for Hamas as it continued to face sustained Israeli military pressure in Gaza.

According to Hamas-affiliated sources in Gaza, Odeh was killed in the strike along with his wife and children. However, Israel has not independently confirmed details regarding civilian casualties, maintaining that the operation was directed at Hamas operatives and infrastructure.

Katz praised the Israeli military and intelligence agencies for what he called a “brilliant execution” of the operation. Reiterating Israel’s stance, he said, “We pledged to eliminate everyone who led the October 7 massacre, and that is what we will do. They are all marked for death, everywhere.”

He further reiterated Israel’s strategic objective of dismantling Hamas’s governing and military capabilities in Gaza, along with what he described as a long-term plan for “voluntary emigration” from the enclave. “Everything at the right time and in the right manner,” Katz added.

In a joint statement, the IDF and Shin Bet confirmed that multiple buildings in Gaza City were targeted during the overnight operation. These structures were allegedly being used as operational hideouts by Odeh and other Hamas members.

The Israeli military also stated that another apartment linked to a separate Hamas operative, reportedly involved in the October 7 attacks, was struck during the same operation. The IDF said the strike was part of ongoing efforts to dismantle Hamas’s remaining operational network in Gaza.

According to Israeli security agencies, Mohammed Odeh previously served as the head of Hamas intelligence before being elevated to the position of military chief just days before his death. Officials alleged that he played a central role in planning and coordinating Hamas’s October 7 cross-border assault on Israel, which triggered the ongoing war.

Security sources further claimed that Odeh was among the last remaining senior commanders directly associated with the October 7 operation and had been actively involved in directing attacks and intelligence activities against Israeli forces during the conflict.

The IDF described his killing as a “significant blow” to Hamas’s efforts to reorganise and rebuild its military capabilities amid sustained Israeli operations in Gaza. Military officials said the elimination of senior leadership figures continues to be a key objective of their campaign.

As the conflict continues, Israel has intensified its intelligence-led strikes targeting Hamas leadership, while also maintaining that its broader goal is to weaken the group’s military infrastructure and prevent future large-scale attacks.

The latest announcement is expected to further escalate tensions in the region, even as international calls for de-escalation and humanitarian concerns in Gaza continue to grow.

(The content of this article is sourced from a news agency and has not been edited by the Mavericknews30 team.)