A significant Israeli strike in the Gaza Strip on Tuesday, May 26, resulted in the death of Mohammed Odeh, the commander of Hamas’s military wing. This incident occurred just days after his predecessor was killed in a similar operation, underscoring the relentless nature of the conflict.
The targeted attack claimed the lives of at least three Palestinians and left dozens more wounded, according to local medics and eyewitnesses. The strike devastated a residential building situated in one of Gaza City’s most bustling market areas, a location typically teeming with civilians.
The Israeli military, in conjunction with the Shin Bet security agency, confirmed that the building housing Odeh was specifically targeted after months of meticulous intelligence surveillance tracking his movements. While Hamas had yet to release an official statement, a source within the organization and relatives of Odeh confirmed that he, his wife, and their adult son were all killed in the assault. This latest wave of violence underscores the persistent daily conflict in Gaza, despite a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas that was reached last October.
The strike precisely targeted the top three floors of the al-Kayali Building in central Gaza City, an area that was notably crowded with shoppers preparing for the upcoming Eid al-Adha holiday. Emergency response teams swiftly mobilized to the scene but faced significant challenges in reaching the upper floors due to the extensive damage and severe congestion in the vicinity. Eyewitnesses recounted a barrage of at least five missiles striking the building almost simultaneously from multiple directions, with one resident reporting the sound of a hovering helicopter just prior to the attack. Video footage from the site captured ambulances and civil defense teams sifting through the devastated structure amidst a gathering crowd, illustrating the immediate aftermath of the destructive assault.
A statement released by the office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Tuesday, May 26, explicitly identified Odeh as “one of the architects of the October 7 massacre.” The statement further asserted that Odeh was “responsible for the murder, kidnapping, and injury of many Israeli citizens and IDF soldiers.”
This recent targeted killing follows an earlier Israeli airstrike in early May, which eliminated Odeh’s predecessor as Hamas’s military wing commander, Izz ad-Din al-Haddad. That earlier strike similarly hit a residential building, killing at least three individuals, according to witnesses and local sources. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) and Shin Bet issued a joint statement detailing the latest operation: “As part of a combined IDF and Shin Bet operation to eliminate the terrorist Mohammed Odeh, several buildings in the heart of Gaza City that served as his hideouts were struck, following months of intelligence surveillance to track his movements and those of his associates within the organization.” The Israeli military further indicated that they also targeted “a nearby apartment belonging to a Hamas terrorist who carried out the October 7 attack and was part of Odeh’s circle of assistants.” The “October 7 attack” refers to the significant assault led by Hamas into southern Israel in 2023.
A Hamas source had informed the BBC on Tuesday, May 26, that Odeh and his wife were indeed killed. Relatives later confirmed that Odeh’s son succumbed to his injuries in the hospital early Wednesday, May 27, with his funeral planned for after Dhuhr prayers at a mosque in Gaza City.
The ongoing strikes against key Hamas figures are part of Israel’s broader military campaign in Gaza. Since the ceasefire commenced on October 10, Israel has conducted routine strikes across Gaza. In response, Hamas has repeatedly accused Israel of violating the terms of the ceasefire and deliberately targeting civilians. The Hamas-run Palestinian health ministry in the territory has reported that over 900 people have been killed as a result of Israeli attacks during the ceasefire period alone. The Israeli government, however, asserts its right to target Hamas members, further accusing Hamas of breaching the ceasefire agreement by failing to disarm.
Meanwhile, the subsequent phases of the US-led Gaza peace plan have yet to be implemented, with progress halted since the United States and Israel reportedly commenced a conflict with Iran in February. The US had announced the initiation of the plan’s second phase in January, envisioning Gaza’s governance transitioning to a technocratic interim administration, alongside demilitarization and comprehensive reconstruction of the territory. Nevertheless, discussions surrounding disarmament have remained deadlocked. In the interim, Hamas has reactivated its police force, seemingly reasserting its authority within the Strip.
Speaking on Wednesday, Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz reiterated Israel’s unwavering commitment to preventing Hamas from governing Gaza, “both civilly and militarily.” He also asserted that a “voluntary emigration plan from Gaza” would be implemented “at the appropriate time and in the right manner.” In his statement, Prime Minister Netanyahu pledged that Israel would “continue to hunt down anyone involved in the October 7 massacre,” adding a stern warning: “Sooner or later, Israel will reach all of them.”
The Hamas-led attack on October 7 resulted in approximately 1,200 deaths and the abduction of 251 individuals as hostages. In retaliation, Israel launched a massive military operation in Gaza, which has devastated large swathes of the Palestinian territory and displaced a significant portion of its 2.1 million residents. According to the Gaza health ministry, whose figures are considered reliable by the UN, Israeli forces have killed over 72,800 people in Gaza.
This latest Israeli strike in Gaza follows an earlier series of Israeli attacks in Lebanon that resulted in 31 fatalities, operations initiated after Prime Minister Netanyahu vowed to escalate military action against the armed group Hezbollah. The Israeli military stated that these strikes specifically targeted Hezbollah infrastructure and fighters.
Summary
An Israeli airstrike in Gaza City on May 26 killed Mohammed Odeh, a commander of Hamas’s military wing and a key figure behind the October 7 attacks. The operation, executed by the IDF and Shin Bet, targeted a residential building in a crowded market area following months of intelligence surveillance. Reports confirmed that the strike also killed Odeh’s wife and son, while causing significant damage and wounding dozens of nearby civilians.
This targeted killing is part of a broader Israeli military campaign aimed at eliminating Hamas leadership and preventing the group from governing Gaza. Despite existing ceasefire agreements, the conflict continues to cause high casualty rates and widespread displacement across the territory. Israeli officials have reiterated their commitment to pursuing all individuals involved in the October 7 massacre until Hamas is fully dismantled.