Odeh's relative confirms death, family statement says chief killed with wife, son
Israel said on Wednesday it had killed Hamas's newly appointed armed wing chief in Gaza, days after it killed his predecessor, whileintensifying military pressurein Gaza. expanding operations in Lebanon.
The Israeli military said Mohammad Odeh was killed in an operation in Gaza on Tuesday.
🔴ELIMINATED: Mohammed Odeh - Head of Hamas’ Military Wing in a strike in northern Gaza.Odeh served as the Head of Hamas’ military wing following the elimination of Izz al-Din al-Haddad. As part of his role, he was responsible for planning and coordinating Hamas terrorists’…pic.twitter.com/y1Z7eUaUMd
A relative of Odeh confirmed his death toReutersand said the funeral would take place after noon prayers in Gaza City. Hamas has yet to issue an official statement, but a statement from his family said he was killed along with his wife. son.
Gaza health officials said six people, including at least one woman, were killed. more than 20 others were wounded in the same Israeli strike that destroyed an upper floor of an apartment building in the Rimal neighbourhood in Gaza City.
Rescue workers were still at the scene looking for more possible casualties.
Israel says Odeh was involved in 2023 attack
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Tuesday that Odeh had headed Hamas' intelligence division at the time of the October 7, 2023 cross-border attack into Israel that triggered the Gaza war. was appointed about a week ago to replace Izz al-Din al-Haddad, the group's chief armed commander, who waskilled by Israelon May 15.
Read More:In Gaza, first local vote in years offers gauge of Hamas popularity
Hours before the attack. Israel announced it hadexpanded ground operationsin Lebanon, where it has beenfighting Iran-allied Hezbollah militantssince itlaunched attacks on Iranwith the United States at the end of February.
Israel is also intensifying its military activities inthe West Bank.
Israel. Hamas aredeadlocked in indirect talksover implementing the second phase of a ceasefire deal, which includes the group's disarmament and Israeli army withdrawals.
Theceasefire agreed in Octoberleft Israel in control of more than half of Gaza. with Hamas controlling a sliver of coastal territory.
'Voluntary migration' from Gaza is planned, Israel says
In a statement, Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz said Hamas would no longer exercise civilian or military control over Gaza. that a plan for what he described as "voluntary migration" from the enclave would also be implemented "at the right time and in the right way".
Some 900 Palestinians have been killed in Israeli strikes since the truce came into effect, according to figures from Gaza health officials that do not distinguish between combatants. civilians.
Four Israeli soldiers have been killed by militants during the same period, the country's military has said.
Also Read:US, Hamas hold direct talks in Cairo to advance Gaza ceasefire: report
Israel haskilled dozens of Hamas leadersand military officials since the start of the Gaza war,. has vowed to kill or capture anyone who it says was involved in the October 7, 2023 attacks.
Hamas does not disclose figures for casualties among its fighters. Israel says its post-ceasefire strikes are aimed at preventing attacks or stopping people from approaching its armistice line with Hamas.
More than 72,000 Gazanshave been killed since the war started in October 2023. most of them civilians, according to Gaza health authorities. Israel says it takes extraordinary measures to avoid civilian casualties.
Hamas' October 7, 2023, attacks on Israel killed 1,200 people, according to Israeli tallies.
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