Elimination of Hamas Military Chief [Screenshot from Israeli Ministry of Defense X account]

The Israeli government confirmed on the 27th (local time) that it had succeeded in eliminating Mohammed Odeh, the leader of the Palestinian armed group Hamas in Gaza and the new leader of its military wing, the Al-Qassam Brigades.

Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz stated on social media platform X, "The commander of the armed wing of the Hamas terrorist organization in Gaza was eliminated yesterday and sent to the depths of hell to meet his companions."

Katz added, "We have vowed to eliminate everyone who led the massacre on October 7, and that is what we will do. They are all destined to die, wherever they are."

The Israeli military and Shin Bet, its intelligence agency, also officially confirmed Odeh's elimination in an airstrike in northern Gaza.

Based on intelligence assets that had been tracking Odeh and his associates for months, the Israeli military carried out targeted airstrikes on multiple buildings used as hiding places within Gaza City.

The Israeli military explained that nearby apartments belonging to other Hamas operatives who participated in the surprise attack on southern Israel on October 7, 2023, were also struck.

Shin Bet identified Odeh as one of the last remaining top military commanders of Hamas who led the October 7 surprise attack, assessing that his elimination dealt a significant blow to Hamas's efforts to rebuild its strength.

Earlier, the Israeli military had stated that it carried out an airstrike in Gaza City the previous night with the aim of eliminating Odeh. However, the success of the operation was not immediately confirmed on that day.

According to Palestinian hospital officials, at least two airstrikes occurred, resulting in at least three deaths and 12 injuries.

Media outlets in the Gaza region linked to Hamas reported that Odeh was killed along with his wife and sons. Hamas has not yet issued an official statement.

The airstrikes were carried out on the 26th, the eve of Eid al-Adha, one of Islam's holiest holidays.

Odeh's predecessor, Izz al-Din al-Haddad, was killed in an Israeli targeted airstrike on the 15th.

In a press release on the night of the airstrike, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Minister Katz explained that Odeh was the head of military intelligence for the Al-Qassam Brigades during Hamas's surprise attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, and was in charge of gathering intelligence on Israeli military bases near the Gaza border and identifying vulnerabilities in the Gaza Division prior to the attack.

According to official Israeli government figures cited by AFP, 1,221 people were killed in the Hamas attack at the time.

The Gaza Ministry of Health, controlled by Hamas, reported that at least 72,803 people have died in Gaza as a result of Israel's retaliatory offensive.

According to AFP, Israel had previously killed former Hamas political bureau chief Ismail Haniyeh, Gaza leader Yahya Sinwar who is considered the mastermind of the October 7 attack, long-time Al-Qassam Brigades commander Mohammed Deif, and Mohammed Sinwar, who succeeded Yahya Sinwar as Gaza leader.

Israel has also targeted senior commanders of Iran-backed, pro-Hamas factions, including Hamas operatives in Lebanon and former Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah.

Gaza residents observe Eid al-Adha, one of the biggest holidays, amidst the ruins of war [AP=Yonhap News]

Meanwhile, Minister Katz, while confirming Odeh's elimination, also drew attention by stating that plans are underway for the voluntary external migration of Palestinian residents in Gaza.

"We have promised that Hamas will not rule in Gaza, neither in its civilian nor its military capacity, and that is how it will be," he said. "Furthermore, plans for voluntary migration from Gaza will also be implemented. Everything will happen in the right time and in the right way."

However, he did not provide specific details on how the voluntary external migration of Gaza residents would be carried out.

Approximately 2 million Palestinian residents currently live in the Gaza Strip.