Tel Aviv: The Israeli military has announced the killing of Muhammad Odeh in Gaza, identifying him as the newly appointed head of the military wing of the Palestinian militant group Hamas and one of the alleged planners behind the October 7, 2023, attacks on Israel.

According to the Israel Defence Forces (IDF), the operation was carried out under instructions from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defence Minister Israel Katz. The Israeli Prime Minister’s Office confirmed the development in a post shared on X.

Israeli authorities said Odeh had previously headed Hamas’s intelligence division during the October 7 assault. He was reportedly appointed to lead the organisation’s military wing around a week ago, replacing Ezzedine al-Haddad, who was killed in an Israeli strike in the Gaza Strip roughly two weeks earlier.

Israel links Odeh to October 7 attacks

Israeli officials accused Odeh of involvement in attacks that led to the deaths, abductions and injuries of Israeli civilians and IDF personnel during the October 7 incursion.

Prime Minister Netanyahu later confirmed the operation in a separate statement posted on X, reiterating Israel’s pledge to pursue all those allegedly connected to the attacks.

“We have now struck Muhammad Odeh, the leader of Hamas’s military wing and one of the architects of the October 7 massacre. We will get to all of them,” Netanyahu said.

The latest development comes as Israel continues military operations in Gaza amid the prolonged conflict with Hamas following the October 2023 attacks.

Israeli strikes continue across southern Lebanon

At the same time, Israeli air strikes continued across southern Lebanon, according to reports by Al Jazeera, after Israel intensified operations against Hezbollah.

The broadcaster reported that two air strikes hit Burj Rahal, while another powerful strike was recorded in Kawthariyat al-Ruz in the Tyre district. Israeli forces also reportedly carried out two strikes on the town of Srifa and another on Burj Rahal. Additional raids were reported in as-Sawana and Qabrikha in the Marjayoun district.

Al Jazeera Arabic reported that Israeli strikes across southern Lebanon on Tuesday killed 31 people and injured 40 others.

Netanyahu orders tougher action against Hezbollah

The escalation follows remarks made by Netanyahu on Sunday, when he instructed the Israeli military to intensify operations against Hezbollah amid increasing drone attacks.

According to reports by The Times of Israel, the directive came after a United States official indicated that Washington would support a broader Israeli operation against the Iran-backed group.

“We are at war with Hezbollah. Just in recent weeks, our brave fighters have eliminated more than 600 terrorists,” Netanyahu said in a video statement.

“But we are not taking our foot off the gas. On the contrary, I have instructed them to press the pedal even harder,” he added.

Agency inputs