Israel Kills Hamas's New Military Wing Chief in Gaza

Israel has claimed to have killed Mohammed Odeh, the new head of Hamas’s military wing, in a strike in Gaza. Despite an ongoing ceasefire, Israel continues to launch attacks on the enclave.

According to AFP, Thursday, 28 May 2026, since Hamas’s October 2023 attack, Israel has systematically targeted Hamas leaders in Gaza and across the region.

Odeh is the fourth chief of the Ezzedine al-Qassam Brigade to be killed by Israel since the Gaza war began, according to Israeli authorities.

In a joint statement, Israel’s military and Shin Bet security agency said Odeh died on Tuesday, having been appointed brigade chief following the killing of Ezzedine al-Haddad on 15 May.

Hamas’s armed wing confirmed Odeh’s role as chief of staff, stating he was killed in Tuesday night’s Israeli strike. “With pride, honour, dignity and courage, the Ezzedine al-Qassam Brigade announces the martyrdom of one of the leading Palestinian resistance commanders,” the statement said, adding he died “in a cowardly assassination operation that resulted in his own martyrdom, his wife’s and children’s.”

A Hamas official confirmed three of Odeh’s children were killed, including two adult males and a girl under 18.

Odeh’s funeral took place on Wednesday in Gaza City, attended by hundreds. An AK-47 was placed on his coffin as mourners carried him to the mosque for funeral prayers.

The killing occurred during Eid al-Adha. Bassem Abu Odeh, Odeh’s cousin, stated that the family “was ready to celebrate Eid al-Adha, but instead the criminal Zionists welcomed and targeted them with missiles.”