Israel Says It Killed Hamas Military Leader in Gaza

Israel said on Wednesday that it killed a top Hamas military leader in Gaza. The leader, Mohammad Odeh, was killed in an attack on Tuesday. Israel says Odeh was involved in planning the October 7, 2023 attack on Israel that started the current war.

Odeh's family confirmed that he died along with his wife and son in the Israeli strike. The attack happened in an apartment building in Gaza City. At least six people were killed and more than 20 others were hurt in the same attack. Rescue workers were still looking for more people who might have been trapped.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Odeh was the head of Hamas intelligence during the October 2023 attack. He was chosen about a week ago to replace another Hamas leader who was killed by Israel on May 15. Hamas has not officially said Odeh was their new military chief, but sources say he was likely to get the job.

The attack on Odeh happened as Israel expanded its military operations in Lebanon. Israel has been fighting Hezbollah militants there since late February. Israel is also increasing its military activities in the West Bank. These actions show Israel is fighting on multiple fronts at the same time.

Israel and Hamas are having trouble agreeing on the next phase of their ceasefire deal. The agreement is supposed to include Hamas giving up their weapons and Israeli forces leaving Gaza. Right now, Israel controls more than half of Gaza, while Hamas controls a small area along the coast.

Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz said Hamas will no longer control Gaza. He also talked about a plan for what he called 'voluntary migration' from Gaza. This means Israel wants Palestinians to leave Gaza on their own. Katz said this plan would happen 'at the right time and in the right way.'

About 900 Palestinians have been killed in Israeli strikes since the ceasefire began, according to Gaza health officials. These numbers do not separate fighters from regular civilians. Four Israeli soldiers have been killed by militants during the same time period. Israel says it is trying to prevent attacks and stop people from getting too close to its border with Hamas.

Israel has killed many Hamas leaders since the war started in October 2023. The country has promised to kill or capture anyone involved in the October 7 attacks. More than 72,000 people in Gaza have died since the war began, and most of them were civilians, according to Gaza health authorities. Israel says it tries hard to avoid hurting civilians when it attacks.

The October 7, 2023 Hamas attacks killed about 1,200 people in Israel. This attack started the current war between Israel and Hamas. The fighting has caused great suffering on both sides and has affected people throughout the Middle East region.