Israeli Forces Successfully Target Hamas Military Chief in Gaza Operation

Israeli forces have successfully targeted and eliminated the new leader of Hamas’ military division in a recent airstrike.

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed on Wednesday that Mohammed Odeh, who played a key role in orchestrating and carrying out infiltration and attack plans during the events of October 7, was killed in a military operation in northern Gaza.

According to the IDF, Odeh stepped into the leadership role of Hamas’ military wing after the previous leader, Izz al-Din al-Haddad, was eliminated. A photo released by the IDF showed Odeh alongside other Hamas leaders who have also been killed.

In a joint statement, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz declared, “Odeh was accountable for the killing, kidnapping, and injuring of numerous Israeli civilians and IDF soldiers. Our mission to track down everyone involved in the October 7 massacre continues relentlessly. Israel will ultimately find them all.”

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The Israel Defense Forces said Mohammed Odeh, right, was killed in a recent airstrike in northern Gaza. (IDF)

Haddad was eliminated by an Israeli Air Force strike in Gaza City earlier this month, military officials said.

“The IDF will continue to pursue our enemies, strike them, and hold accountable everyone who took part in the October 7 Massacre. We will not relent until we reach them all — this is our duty to all those who returned and to all our civilians,” IDF Chief of the General Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir was quoted as saying following Haddad’s death.

The IDF said, “Following the elimination of his predecessors, Yahya Sinwar and Mohammed Sinwar,” Haddad had “assumed control of Hamas and worked to rebuild its military capabilities and infrastructure — a blatant violation of the ceasefire agreement.” 

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Emergency teams responded to a residential building in the Rimal area of Gaza City following Israeli airstrikes on May 26, 2026. (Ahmad Hasaballah/Getty Images)

“Haddad was one of the longest-serving commanders in Hamas and played a key role in its terrorist rule. He climbed the ranks and advanced into crucial positions, then was tasked with coordinating and planning the October 7 Massacre invasion,” the IDF said in the announcement of Haddad’s death.

Mourners carry images of Hamas military wing commander Izz al-Din al-Haddad during a funeral in Gaza City on May 16, 2026. (Dawoud Abu Alkas/Reuters)

 “Throughout the war, he was involved in the holding of many Israeli hostages in Hamas captivity,” the IDF added. 

“In every conversation I held with the hostages who returned, the name of the arch-terrorist Izz al-Din al-Haddad… came up again and again,” Zamir said.