In a significant development, Israel has confirmed the killing of Mohammed Odeh, the newly appointed leader of Hamas’ military wing, during airstrikes in Gaza City. This operation occurred less than two weeks after the previous leader, Izz al-Din al-Haddad, was also killed by Israeli forces.

Israel’s Defense Minister, Israel Katz, described Odeh as a key figure in orchestrating the October 7, 2023, attacks that led to prolonged conflict in the region. Katz emphasized Israel’s commitment to eliminating those responsible for the attacks, stating, “We pledged to eliminate everyone who led the October 7 massacre and this is what we will do: they are all bound to die, everywhere.”

The airstrikes, which took place on Tuesday, resulted in at least five deaths and 12 injuries, as reported by local hospitals. The timing of the attack coincided with the eve of Eid al-Adha, a major Muslim holiday, adding to the somber mood in Gaza.

A Grim Eid in Gaza

As Muslims in Gaza prepared for Eid al-Adha, the holiday was overshadowed by the ongoing conflict and humanitarian crisis. The United Nations estimates that around 90% of Gaza’s population remains displaced, living in temporary shelters with inadequate conditions. The traditional celebrations of Eid, marked by family gatherings and festive meals, were notably subdued.

Displaced residents, like Mahmoud Saqer from Khan Younis, expressed despair over the continued violence and loss. “This is not Eid … we’re dead,” he lamented, highlighting the distress felt by many in the territory.

In areas like Khan Younis and Gaza City, people gathered for Eid prayers amidst the ruins of buildings, including a mosque. Ayda Al-Banna, a displaced woman from Gaza City, mourned the loss of her children, stating, “There’s no Eid. My children were killed. Eid is only for the people who lost no one.”

Fragile Ceasefire Holds

The ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas, established in October, remains fragile. Since its implementation, Israeli actions have resulted in over 880 Palestinian deaths, according to Palestinian health officials, with claims that many of the deceased were civilians. Israel maintains that its operations are responses to Hamas violations or threats to its soldiers.

The conflict traces back to the October 2023 attacks by Hamas, which resulted in the deaths of approximately 1,200 people and the taking of 251 hostages. The ongoing violence underscores the complex and volatile nature of the situation in Gaza.

Original reporting: WQAD (Quad Cities) — read the source article.