Israel claims killing of Hamas military leader Muhammad Ouda in Gaza City

Israel has claimed that it killed Hamas’ newly designated armed wing commander Mohammad Odeh in a targeted operation in Gaza City, intensifying its ongoing military campaign in the enclave, according to Reuters.

The Israeli military said the strike took place on Tuesday and resulted in Odeh’s death. The announcement comes just days after Israel reported killing his predecessor, as it continues operations against senior figures in the group’s military leadership.

A relative of Odeh confirmed his death to Reuters and said his funeral would be held after noon prayers in Gaza City. A statement attributed to his family also said he was killed alongside his wife and son. However, Hamas has not issued any official confirmation regarding his death or appointment to the position.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Odeh had previously headed Hamas’ intelligence division during the October 7, 2023 cross-border attack on Israel and was appointed to a senior military leadership role roughly a week ago, replacing Izz al-Din al-Haddad, who was killed earlier this month.

Sources familiar with Hamas’ internal structure said Odeh was widely viewed as a potential successor within its military leadership, though his appointment as armed wing chief has not been formally confirmed by the group.

Civilian casualties reported as strikes intensify across Gaza and region

Gaza health authorities said the same airstrike killed at least six people, including a woman, and injured more than 20 others. The strike reportedly destroyed an upper floor of a residential building in the Rimal neighbourhood of Gaza City. Rescue teams were continuing search operations amid fears that more people could be trapped under the rubble.

The Israeli military has expanded its operations across multiple fronts, including renewed ground activity in Lebanon and intensified strikes in the occupied West Bank, as regional tensions continue to escalate.

Israel has said its operations are aimed at dismantling Hamas’ leadership and preventing further attacks. Defense Minister Israel Katz stated that Hamas would no longer maintain civilian or military control in Gaza and referred to plans for what he described as “voluntary migration” from the territory, to be implemented “at the right time and in the right way.”

Since the ceasefire arrangement reached in October, Gaza health officials say hundreds of Palestinians have been killed in Israeli strikes, while Israel reports the deaths of several soldiers in militant attacks during the same period. The figures do not independently distinguish between civilians and combatants.

The war began after October 7, 2023 attack on Israel, which Israeli authorities say killed around 1,200 people. Since then, Gaza health officials say tens of thousands of Palestinians have been killed, the majority of them civilians, as Israel continues to insist it takes steps to minimise non-combatant casualties.