Mohammad Odeh, Hamas' newly appointed chief of its military wing, was killed along with his wife and son in an Israeli air strike in the Rimal neighborhood of Gaza City on May 26, 2026 [1, 2, 3, 4]. The strike destroyed an upper floor of an apartment building, killing at least six people and injuring more than 20 others [2, 3, 5, 6].
Odeh took command of Hamas' military wing about a week before his death, replacing Izz al-Din al-Haddad who was killed on May 15 [1, 3, 7]. 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 as military chief roughly May 19-20 [1]. The Israeli military accused Odeh of planning attacks linked to the October 7 massacre [1, 3]. Defense Minister Israel Katz said, "The commander of Hamas terror organisation’s military arm number 4 in Gaza was eliminated yesterday and sent to meet his partners in the depths of hell" and vowed Hamas would lose civilian and military rule in Gaza [6, 8].
Hamas initially did not confirm Odeh's appointment but later acknowledged his death, along with his wife and son, in the strike [1, 4, 9]. A funeral procession carrying their bodies took place on May 27 through Gaza City with dozens of mourners [4, 10]. A relative, Abu Al-Abd Odeh, said, "This journey will not stop and the struggle of the Palestinian people will continue on all levels" [4].
The strike took place hours after Israel expanded ground operations in Lebanon amid ongoing conflict [1, 2, 3]. It also occurred during a ceasefire brokered in October 2025 that left Israel controlling over half of Gaza [2]. Israeli Defence Minister Katz spoke of plans to encourage "voluntary migration" from Gaza in light of ongoing military efforts [2, 8]. Over 90% of Gaza's population has been displaced, according to reports [8].
Odeh’s killing follows a May 15 strike that killed his predecessor as Hamas armed wing chief, Izz al-Din al-Haddad [1, 2, 3]. The next significant event will be closely watched, as Israel's military campaign continues amid fragile ceasefire conditions and heightened tensions on multiple fronts.
