The Israeli government said it killed Mohammed Ode, the new leader of Hamas’s military wing, the Al-Qassam Brigades.
On May 27 (local time), the AP and other outlets reported that Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Katz wrote on X that the commander of Hamas’s armed wing in the Gaza Strip had been “removed” and sent to “meet his comrades in the depths of hell.”
He added, “On behalf of the prime minister and myself, I congratulate the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) and Shin Bet (Israel’s security service) for their brilliant operation,” and said, “We vowed to eliminate everyone who led the October 7 massacre. That is what we will do. They will meet death wherever they are.”
Earlier, on the night of May 26, Israel carried out airstrikes on Gaza City, saying the operation targeted Ode. Officials did not immediately confirm whether the strike had succeeded.
Palestinian hospital officials said the strikes occurred at least twice, killing at least three people and wounding 12.
The strikes on May 26 fell on the eve of the Islamic holiday Eid al-Adha. Ode’s predecessor, Izz al-Din al-Haddad, was reportedly killed in an Israeli targeted strike on May 15.
AFP reported that Israel had previously killed former Hamas political bureau chief Ismail Haniyeh; Gaza leader Yahya Sinwar, who is accused of orchestrating the Oct. 7 attacks; longtime Al-Qassam commander Muhammad Deif; and Muhammad Sinwar, who succeeded Yahya Sinwar as Gaza leader.
Israel has also targeted Hamas operatives in Lebanon and senior pro-Hamas commanders backed by Iran, including former Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah.
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