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Israel has announced a military strike targeting Mohammed Odeh, a senior Hamas figure accused of orchestrating the October 7, 2023 attacks. The outcome of the operation remains unclear, officials said.
Jerusalem, 26 May 2026
Israel confirmed on Monday evening that it had carried out an attack in the Gaza Strip targeting Mohammed Odeh, a senior Hamas commander described as a key architect of the October 7, 2023 terror assault.
A joint statement from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz identified Odeh as one of the masterminds behind the deadly incursion. "Odeh was responsible for the murder, kidnapping, and wounding of numerous Israeli citizens," the statement read.
Officials did not immediately confirm whether the strike had succeeded in killing Odeh. The statement noted that "the scale and intensity of the attack" had fueled speculation that Odeh was the intended target.
The operation marks the latest in a series of targeted actions against Hamas leadership. Around a week and a half ago, Israel confirmed the death of Hamas military chief Iss al-Din al-Haddad in a separate Israeli airstrike.
Netanyahu and Katz reiterated a long-standing Israeli policy in their statement, declaring, "Israel will get them all, sooner or later." The vow underscores Israel's continued pursuit of individuals it holds responsible for the 2023 massacres.
The October 7, 2023, attack saw Hamas terrorists and allied militants infiltrate southern Israel from the Gaza Strip. During the assault, they killed more than 1,200 people and abducted 251 hostages, dragging them back into the coastal enclave.
The unprecedented violence triggered a devastating two-year war. According to figures released by the Hamas-run health authorities, more than 70,000 Palestinians were killed during the subsequent Israeli military campaign in Gaza.
A formal ceasefire between Israel and Hamas has been in effect since October 2025. However, both parties have repeatedly accused each other of violating the terms of the fragile truce, and sporadic violence has continued.
The status of the ceasefire agreement remains precarious. International mediators have struggled to bridge gaps between the two sides, with disputes persisting over the release of remaining hostages and the future governance of Gaza.
The targeting of Odeh signals that Israel's military operations against senior Hamas figures are continuing despite the nominal truce. Israeli officials have consistently stated that the ceasefire does not grant immunity to those who planned the October 7 attacks.
Details about the specific location and method of the latest strike were not immediately released by the Israeli military. The statement from the prime minister's office offered no further operational details.
The international community has repeatedly called for restraint and adherence to the ceasefire agreement. The latest strike is likely to draw scrutiny from mediators who have been working to stabilize the long-term cessation of hostilities.
The situation on the ground in Gaza remains dire, with the population grappling with the immense destruction caused by two years of war. Humanitarian organizations continue to call for unfettered access to deliver aid to the civilian population.
