Hamas has confirmed that Mohammed Odeh, the recently appointed head of its military wing, was killed in an Israeli airstrike in Gaza City, less than two weeks after his predecessor was also killed.According to the group, Odeh died alongside his wife and two of his children when a strike hit a market area.Local hospitals reported at least five fatalities and a dozen injuries from that attack.The strike occurred just before Eid al-Adha, a significant religious holiday, intensifying its emotional impact on the local population.

Further Israeli strikes in Gaza City in the following days reportedly killed at least seven more people, including women and children, and injured more than 20 others.Footage from the scene showed significant destruction, with civilians and emergency responders attempting to evacuate the wounded.The Israeli military stated it was targeting Hamas militants in northern Gaza.Odeh was described by Hamas as a long-time member and a key figure in establishing its armed wing, the Qassam Brigades.

Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz labelled him one of the architects of the 7 October 2023 attacks on southern Israel, which triggered the ongoing war.Katz noted this was the fourth time Israel had killed the leader of Hamas’s military wing since the conflict began.

Large crowds gathered in Gaza City for a joint funeral for Odeh and his family, with mourners carrying Hamas flags and chanting during the procession.Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reiterated that Israel would continue targeting individuals linked to the 2023 attacks.Despite a ceasefire agreed in October, violence has persisted.Palestinian health authorities report over 900 deaths since the truce began, while Israel says its operations are responses to Hamas violations.

The broader conflict has resulted in more than 72,000 Palestinian deaths, according to Gaza health officials, while the initial Hamas attack in 2023 killed around 1,200 people in Israel and led to 251 hostages being taken.