The Israel Defence Forces (IDF) have eliminated Muhammad Odeh, the newly appointed leader of Hamas's military wing, the Al-Qassam Brigades, in Gaza. Odeh was identified as one of the key architects of the October 7, 2023, massacre. The confirmation came from a joint statement by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defence Minister Israel Katz on Tuesday.
Background on Muhammad Odeh
Odeh served as the head of Hamas intelligence during the October 7 attack and was appointed approximately one week ago as the successor to Ezzedine Al-Haddad, who was killed in an IDF strike in the Gaza Strip two weeks earlier. He was responsible for the murder, abduction, and wounding of many Israeli citizens and IDF soldiers.
Impact of the Strike
Gaza's civil defence agency, operating as a rescue service under Hamas, reported that at least three people were killed and 20 wounded in an Israeli airstrike in the Rimal neighbourhood of western Gaza City. Netanyahu shared the confirmation on X, vowing to eliminate all those involved in the October 7 massacre.
Broader Campaign Against Hamas
Since the cross-border assault, the Israeli military and intelligence services have waged a campaign targeting Hamas's senior political leaders and militant commanders in Gaza and across the region. The IDF also killed Yahya Sinwar, widely regarded as a key mastermind behind the October 7 attack, as well as Hamas's former political chief Ismail Haniyeh and Mohammed Deif, the longtime commander of Hamas's armed wing. Israeli strikes have also targeted Hamas operatives in Lebanon and senior Iran-backed Hezbollah commanders, including former Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah.
Casualties and Retaliation
In the aftermath of the October 7 assault, Netanyahu pledged to target the masterminds behind the attacks, which, according to an AFP tally based on official Israeli figures, resulted in 1,221 deaths. Israel's retaliatory response in Gaza has killed at least 72,803 people, according to the territory's health ministry, which operates under Hamas authority.
Renewed Strikes in Southern Lebanon
Meanwhile, Israel continued its strikes in southern Lebanon after ramping up operations on Monday. According to Al Jazeera, two air strikes hit Burj Rahal, and a powerful strike was reported in Kawthariyat al-Ruz in the Tyre district. The Israeli military also launched two air strikes on the town of Srifa and one on Burj Rahal in the Tyre district. Three raids were reported in the town of as-Sawana and one in Qabrikha in the Marjayoun district.
"We are at war with Hezbollah. Just in recent weeks, our brave fighters have eliminated more than 600 terrorists," Netanyahu said in a video statement. "But we are not taking our foot off the gas. On the contrary, I have instructed them to press the pedal even harder."
