Jerusalem: Israel has announced that Hamas military commander Mohammed Odeh was killed in a targeted overnight strike in Gaza City. Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz described the operation as a major blow to the militant group’s military structure.
According to Israeli authorities, Odeh was killed during an operation conducted jointly by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) and the Shin Bet after months of intelligence monitoring and surveillance of his movements.
In a post on X, Katz said, “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 said Odeh had only recently assumed charge as head of Hamas’s military wing following the killing of Izz al-Din al-Haddad earlier this month.
According to Hamas-affiliated reports emerging from Gaza, Odeh was reportedly killed along with his wife and sons during the strike.
Praising the operation, Katz commended the Israeli military and intelligence agencies for what he called a “brilliant execution”.
“We pledged to eliminate everyone who led the October 7 massacre, and that is what we will do,” Katz was quoted as saying by the Times of Israel. “They are all marked for death, everywhere.”
The Israeli Defence Minister also reiterated Israel’s stated objective of dismantling Hamas’ rule in Gaza and advancing what he described as a plan for “voluntary emigration” from the enclave.
“Everything at the right time and in the right manner,” he added.
In a joint statement, the IDF and Shin Bet confirmed that several buildings in Gaza City allegedly being used as hideouts by Odeh and his associates were targeted during the overnight strike.
The Israeli military further stated that an apartment belonging to another Hamas operative allegedly involved in the October 7 attacks was also hit during the operation, according to the Times of Israel.
According to the IDF, Odeh had previously served as the head of Hamas intelligence before becoming the organisation’s military chief last week.
Israeli security agencies alleged that he played a key role in planning and coordinating Hamas’ October 7 assault on Israel and later directed attacks and intelligence operations against Israeli troops during the ongoing conflict.
The agencies described Odeh as one of the last remaining senior Hamas military commanders linked to orchestrating the October 7 attacks and said his killing represented a “significant blow” to Hamas’ efforts to reorganise and rebuild its military capabilities.
IANS
Britain moves to designate IRGC, two other groups as state threats
London: The British government said Monday it was moving to designate Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and two other organisations as national security threats. The other two are the...
Legal storm rocks NCP as Sunetra Pawar’s appointment as president challenged, fresh polls sought
Mumbai : In a major internal rebellion threatening the stability of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), the party's National Secretary, Sachchidanand Singh, has legally challenged the validity of the internal...
Delhi court convicts ex-AAP councillor Tahir Hussain, four others in IB officer Ankit Sharma murder case
New Delhi: A Delhi court on Monday convicted former Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) councillor Tahir Hussain and four others for the murder of Intelligence Bureau (IB) officer Ankit Sharma during...
I’m not Gandhiji… I would kill again: Murder convict tells Kerala court after conviction
Palakkad: "Hang me if you want. I don't mind. If necessary, I would eliminate more people. I am not Gandhiji." Those chilling words from convicted murderer Chenthamara echoed through the...
Nine fishermen found dead in sunken trawler off Sundarbans coast, six still missing
Kolkata: Nine fishermen were found dead after a fishing trawler that had gone missing earlier this month was recovered from the Bay of Bengal near the Sundarbans in West Bengal's...
Oil prices surge three per cent amid escalating US-Iran tensions
Washington: Oil prices rose more than 3 per cent as the United States and Iran exchanged fresh strikes, renewing fears of disruption in the Strait of Hormuz, a critical route...
18 killed as Typhoon Bavi hits Philippines
Manila: The death toll from the combined effects of Typhoon Bavi and the enhanced southwest monsoon has risen to 18, while 12 people remain missing, according to the Philippine Office...
10 Indians on board rescued, one missing: India condemns attack on commercial vessel off Oman coast
New Delhi: India on Sunday condemned the attack on the commercial vessel GFS Galaxy carrying Indian nationals off the coast of Oman, terming the continuous incidents of attacks on commercial...
BJP warns of defamation case against Omar Abdullah over ‘poaching’ allegation, NC hits back
New Delhi: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders on Sunday threatened to lodge a defamation case against Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister and Vice President of the ruling National Conference...
AI171 victims’ families seek Boeing 787 pilot on probe panel, final crash report timeline
Ahmedabad: Nearly 30 families who lost relatives in the Air India Flight AI-171 crash have written to the Union Civil Aviation Minister K. Rammohan Naidu on Sunday seeking the inclusion...
FIFA WC: Argentina down 10-man Switzerland to set up SF with England
Kansas City: Julian Alvarez and Lautaro Martinez struck in extra time as Argentina outlasted 10-man Switzerland at Kansas City Stadium in the FIFA World Cup 2026™ quarter-finals. Argentina...
Voice that became Kerala’s own: S. Janaki passes away at 88
Thiruvananthapuram: For generations of Malayalis, S. Janaki was more than a playback singer, she was the voice that gave life to love, longing, devotion and nostalgia. The legendary singer, whose...
