GAZA CITY — Israeli airstrikes in Gaza City killed Mohammed Odeh, the newly appointed leader of Hamas’ military wing, on Tuesday, May 26, 2026. The strike occurred on the eve of Eid al-Adha, a major Muslim holiday.

Odeh was appointed to lead the Qassam Brigades less than two weeks after his predecessor, Izz al-Din al-Haddad, was killed in an Israeli airstrike on May 16, 2026. The Israel Defense Forces and Shin Bet confirmed they conducted a joint operation that killed Odeh after months of intelligence monitoring.

At least five people were killed in the airstrike, including Odeh, his wife, two of his children, and another woman. Twelve others were injured, according to local hospitals.

Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz stated that Mohammed Odeh was “one of the architects of the October 7, 2023, attacks.” Katz wrote on X: “We pledged to eliminate everyone who led the October 7 massacre and this is what we will do: they are all bound to die, everywhere.” He also wrote: “We pledged that Hamas will not hold civilian or military rule.”

The Israeli military said Odeh led Hamas’ intelligence unit during the October 7, 2023, attacks and was head of Hamas’ intelligence headquarters. Hamas confirmed that Odeh had been active with the group for more than three decades and was part of the first generation that established its military wing. Thousands of people attended a joint funeral for Odeh’s family in Gaza City, covering the bodies with green Hamas flags and chanting while firing shots in the air.

According to Israel Katz, Israel has killed the head of Hamas’ military wing four times since the October 7, 2023, attacks.

Ayda Al-Banna, a displaced woman from Gaza City, said: “There’s no Eid. My children were killed. Eid is only for the people who lost no one.” Mahmoud Saqer, a displaced man from Khan Younis, said: “This is not Eid. We’re dead.”