The newly appointed commander of Hamas’s military wing, Mohammed Odeh, was killed in Israeli airstrikes in Gaza City on Tuesday, according to Israeli officials. This high-profile assassination occurred just days after his predecessor died in a similar targeted attack, marking a significant escalation in ongoing hostilities despite a ceasefire that began in October.
Market District Targeted Amidst Holiday Preparations
The operation targeted the upper three floors of the al-Kayali building, situated in a busy market area of Gaza City. The strike occurred as the area was heavily congested with shoppers preparing for the Muslim holiday of Eid al-Adha.
Witnesses reported that at least five missiles hit the building simultaneously from multiple directions. Local medics and observers confirmed that at least three Palestinians were killed and dozens more were injured in the extensive attack. The scale of the structural damage and the dense crowd significantly hampered initial rescue and recovery efforts.
Months of Surveillance Preceded the Strike
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) and the Shin Bet security service stated they had tracked Odeh’s movements for several months prior to the strike. A joint statement detailed that intelligence teams monitored Odeh and his assistants before targeting buildings used as their hideout.
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