Gaza: Israel kills Mohammed Odeh, eliminating Hamas's new military leader.

The Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz confirmed the killing of Mohammed Odeh, indicated as the new head of Hamas' military wing in Gaza. The announcement came through a post published on X, in which Katz attributed the operation to Israel Defense Forces and at the Shin Bet, calling it a "brilliant operation." According to Israeli sources, the raid was conducted the evening before Gaza City.

Katz's message and the reference to October 7th

In his speech, Katz said that Israel remains committed to targeting all those who, according to the Israeli government, played a role in planning or leading the massacre. October 7, 2023The minister stated that the objective remains to prevent Hamas from governing Gaza, both civilian and military. In his message, Katz also thanked the forces involved in the operation, also on behalf of the prime minister. Benjamin Netanyahu.

Odeh appointed a few days after the assassination of his predecessor

Mohammed Odeh had been appointed to lead the Ezzedine Al-Qassam Brigades, the armed wing of Hamas, just a few days before the attack. According to reconstructions reported by the Israeli media, it had taken over from Izz al-Din al-Haddad, who was also killed in an Israeli raid earlier this month. The Israeli government had identified Odeh as the top Hamas intelligence figure during the October 7 attacks.

Confirmation from Hamas sources in the Strip

Hamas sources in the Gaza Strip confirmed to the Arabic daily Asharq Al-Awsat the death of Mohammed Odeh. According to these sources, the raid would have hit an apartment in the neighborhood of rimal, in central Gaza City. The commander's body was reportedly found after the attack. The same sources reported that Odeh's wife and children also died in the operation.

The raid in the Rimal neighborhood and the death toll

According to a reconstruction published by Asharq Al-Awsat, Israeli fighter jets fired at least three missiles at the apartment where Odeh was staying. A source at Gaza City's Shifa Hospital reported that a total of six people were killed in the attack. A field commander of the Al-Qassam Brigades' intelligence apparatus was reportedly seriously injured.

A second attack a few minutes later

The same reconstruction reports that, about twenty minutes after the first strike, a combat helicopter struck another apartment located a few hundred meters away. Reports from the Strip speak of further casualties and injuries following the strikes, while the Israeli army also released video footage of the operation.

Israel relaunches plan for "voluntary emigration" from Gaza

In his post announcing Odeh's killing, Katz also returned to the issue of the "voluntary emigration" plan from Gaza. The minister stated that the project will be implemented "in an appropriate timeframe and manner." This is a policy already supported by the Israeli government and is likely to fuel new international tensions, especially in the already extremely fragile humanitarian situation in the Strip.

Tensions spread to Lebanon and Iran

Odeh's killing comes amid heightened regional instability. At the same time, Israel expanded its operations into southern Lebanon, beyond the ceasefire line, striking facilities attributed to Hezbollah and reporting close-quarters clashes with Tehran-backed militants. The Lebanese Ministry of Health spoke of 31 dead and 40 wounded in the last 24 hours, including women and children.

Middle East under diplomatic pressure

The crisis is compounded by the lack of agreement between the United States and Iran and renewed tensions in the Gulf. Washington reportedly struck a missile launch site in southern Iran and IRGC ships attempting to plant mines in the Hormuz area, claiming it acted in self-defense. Tehran responded by announcing it would defend itself.

The international framework and the appeal to human rights

Meanwhile, the Middle East issue remains the focus of diplomatic attention. Pakistan's Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammed Ishaq Dar discussed peace efforts with the UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres in New York. The Pope also spoke on the topic, calling for respect for everyone's human rights in the context of the crisis and the humanitarian initiatives related to the Flotilla.