Hamas leader Mohammed Odeh killed in Israeli strike; funeral held in Gaza
Hamas confirmed the death of Mohammed Odeh, its military chief, who was killed in an Israeli strike along with family members in Gaza City. During the funeral, relatives vowed the Palestinian struggle would persist despite the ongoing conflict.
Hamas has confirmed the death of Mohammed Odeh, the newly appointed head of its military wing, who was killed in an Israeli airstrike in Gaza City. The attack reportedly also claimed the lives of Odeh's wife and two children. Odeh had been in his position for just 11 days before his death, following the assassination of his predecessor, Izz al-Din al-Haddad.
Israeli officials described Odeh as a key figure in planning the October 7 attacks that triggered the current conflict. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz stated that Odeh played a central role in coordinating military operations against Israeli forces since the outbreak of hostilities. Sources close to Hamas indicated Odeh may have been the last surviving member of the organization’s top military leadership prior to the war.
The funeral for Odeh and his family took place in Gaza City, where mourners carried their bodies draped in Hamas flags, with some carrying assault rifles. A relative stated that the Israeli campaign would not halt the Palestinian struggle, asserting that their efforts would continue across various fronts. The strike that killed Odeh also resulted in additional casualties, with local health officials reporting at least three others dead and over 20 wounded.
Despite a ceasefire in place since October, Israel has persisted in targeting individuals connected to the October 7 attacks. It is estimated that approximately 900 Palestinians have died in Gaza since the ceasefire, according to Hamas health officials, while four Israeli soldiers have been reported killed by Hamas during the same timeframe.