Israel attacks Hamas leader in Gaza airstrike after one week on the job
Israel carried out an airstrike in Gaza late Tuesday targeting mohammed Odeh, the newly appointed head of Hamas’s military wing after he took over about a week earlier. Israeli officials confirmed the operation was ordered by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and defense Minister israel Katz, but they did not explicitly say whether Odeh was killed-describing him only as “struck.”
Odeh is alleged by Israel to have played a central role in the Oct. 7, 2023 massacre and in the intelligence operations surrounding the abduction of Israeli civilians. Netanyahu’s office said Odeh was responsible for “murder, abduction, and wounding” of Israelis and IDF soldiers, and vowed Israel would continue pursuing those involved in Oct.7.
The strike follows earlier Israeli claims that about 11 kilometers of Hamas underground tunnel routes in northern Gaza had been “dismantled.” Early reports indicated a residential building in Gaza City’s Rimal neighborhood was hit,though casualties were not confirmed.
the operation is part of wider military activity amid elevated tensions in the Middle East, including renewed Israeli bombing of Hezbollah in Lebanon while US-led talks regarding an Iran-related peace deal continue. Netanyahu also stated Israel has killed more than 700 hezbollah terrorists as entering a tentative Lebanon ceasefire, with both sides accused of violations.
Israel targeted the new leader of Hamas’s military wing in a Gaza airstrike late Tuesday after he filled his late predecessor’s shoes about one week ago.
Mohammed Odeh was attacked, but Israeli officials did not say if he was killed. A statement from the prime minister’s office said he was “struck.” Typically, the Israeli military says a target was “eliminated” if they died from a strike.
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Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz ordered the operation.
Odeh replaced Ezzedine al Haddad, who was killed by an Israeli airstrike in Gaza less than two weeks ago. Odeh led Hamas’s intelligence staff during the massacre and abduction of Israeli civilians on Oct. 7, 2023, according to Israel.
“Odeh was responsible for the murder, abduction, and wounding of many Israeli citizens and IDF soldiers,” Netanyahu’s office said in a statement before commending the Israel Defense Forces and Israeli Air Force for executing the operation.
“We will continue to pursue anyone who took part in the October 7 massacre,” the office added. “Sooner or later, Israel will reach them all.”
Earlier Tuesday, the IDF shared a video revealing that about 11 kilometers, or nearly seven miles, of underground tunnel routes used by Hamas in northern Gaza were “dismantled.”
Initial reports from Gaza said a residential building in the Rimal neighborhood of Gaza City was struck, according to the Times of Israel. The number of people killed and wounded remains unconfirmed.
The overnight operation that struck Odeh is the latest example of Israel taking military action amid heightened tensions with its neighbors in the Middle East. On Monday, the Israeli military resumed bombing Hezbollah in Lebanon as peace talks for the Iran war continue.
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In a social media post on Tuesday, Netanyahu said Israel has killed more than 700 Hezbollah terrorists since entering a tentative ceasefire with Lebanon last month. The Israeli military and Hezbollah have both carried out ceasefire violations.
Israeli and Lebanese officials are set to meet at the Pentagon on Friday to discuss the ceasefire. A broader peace deal with Iran has not been made yet. The United States is leading the negotiations with Iran, while Israel is largely sidelined from those discussions.
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