A senior Hamas commander Mohammed Odeh was killed in an Israeli air strike in Gaza City on Tuesday according to local Hamas sources and family members. The attack also killed his wife and later claimed the life of their adult son who died from injuries in hospital.
The strike targeted the upper floors of the al Kayali building in central Gaza City one of the busiest market areas in the territory. Local medics said at least three Palestinians were killed while dozens of others were injured during the attack.
Witnesses said several missiles hit the building almost at the same time as people were shopping ahead of the Eid al Adha holiday. Rescue workers and ambulances rushed to the scene but faced difficulties because of severe damage and crowded streets.
The Israeli military and Shin Bet security agency confirmed the operation saying the buildings were being used as a hideout by Mohammed Odeh. Israeli officials stated that his movements had been monitored for several months before the strike was carried out.
Israel also claimed that a nearby apartment linked to another Hamas member involved in the October 7 attacks was targeted during the operation.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described Odeh as one of the planners of the October 7 Hamas attack on southern Israel. Israeli officials accused him of being responsible for the deaths kidnappings and injuries of Israeli civilians and soldiers.
Mohammed Odeh had recently become the commander of Hamas’s military wing after the death of his predecessor Izz ad Din al Haddad who was also killed in an Israeli strike earlier this month.
Although a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas was agreed in October violence has continued across Gaza. Hamas has accused Israel of repeatedly violating the truce and attacking civilians while Israel says it continues targeting Hamas members and military infrastructure.
According to Gaza’s Hamas run health ministry more than 900 people have been killed in Israeli strikes during the ceasefire period. The ministry also says over 72800 people have died in Gaza since the war began following the October 7 attacks.
The conflict started after Hamas led attacks in southern Israel killed around 1200 people and resulted in 251 hostages being taken according to Israeli officials. Israel later launched a large military campaign across Gaza causing widespread destruction and displacement.
The latest Gaza strike came shortly after Israeli attacks in Lebanon reportedly killed 31 people as Israel also intensified operations against Hezbollah targets.
