Israeli authorities announced on Wednesday that they had killed Mohammed Odeh, the leader of Hamas's military wing in Gaza, in an airstrike in the northern part of the strip. The killing comes as a fragile ceasefire faces increasing strain.

The Israeli military said Odeh was targeted in an attack on Tuesday in Gaza City. Defence Minister Israel Katz wrote on X: “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.”

Odeh, a former Hamas intelligence chief, reportedly succeeded Izz al-Din al-Haddad as head of the Qassam Brigades after the latter was killed earlier this month, though Hamas did not officially confirm the appointment. The Israeli army accused Odeh of planning and executing the October 7, 2023 attacks on southern Israel.

The airstrike hit the Remal neighbourhood in western Gaza City, killing six people and wounding 20, according to a source at al-Shifa Hospital. Al Jazeera’s correspondent reported heavy destruction in a busy market area where Muslims were shopping for the Eid holiday.

Israel’s war in response to the October 7 attacks has killed over 72,800 Palestinians, according to Gaza’s health ministry. During the conflict, Israel has killed several senior Hamas figures, including Ismail Haniyeh and Yahya Sinwar. Since the so-called ceasefire took effect on January 11, at least 906 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza.

Source: www.aljazeera.com