Israel’s Defence Forces have announced that Muhammad Odeh, identified as the newly appointed head of Hamas’s military wing and a key planner of the October 7 attacks, was killed during an operation in Gaza. The strike was reportedly authorised directly by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defence Minister Israel Katz. Shortly after the operation, the Prime Minister’s Office confirmed the development in a statement shared on X.

According to Israeli officials, Odeh previously led Hamas’s intelligence division during the October 7 assault and had only recently taken over the group’s military leadership after the death of Ezzedine al-Haddad, who was killed in an earlier Israeli strike in Gaza. Israeli authorities accused Odeh of playing a central role in coordinating attacks that resulted in the deaths, kidnappings, and injuries of numerous Israeli civilians and soldiers.

In a video message, Netanyahu said Israel would continue targeting those connected to the October 7 attacks. “We have struck Muhammad Odeh, the commander of Hamas’s military wing and one of the masterminds behind the October 7 massacre. We will reach all of them,” he stated. The killing of Odeh comes as Israel continues to intensify operations against Hamas leadership in Gaza. Israeli officials view the latest strike as another major setback for the group’s command structure, following several recent eliminations of senior figures.

At the same time, military tensions have escalated in southern Lebanon. Reports from Al Jazeera indicated that Israeli air strikes hit multiple areas in the Tyre and Marjayoun districts. Explosions were reported in Burj Rahal, Kawthariyat al-Ruz, Srifa, as-Sawana, and Qabrikha. The attacks reportedly caused heavy casualties. Al Jazeera Arabic stated that at least 31 people were killed and around 40 others injured during Tuesday’s strikes. The growing military campaign reflects Israel’s increasing pressure on Hezbollah, which has launched repeated drone and rocket attacks targeting northern Israel.

The escalation follows Netanyahu’s recent remarks urging Israeli forces to “increase the pressure” on Hezbollah after signals from Washington suggested support for broader action against the Iran-backed group. Speaking about the conflict, Netanyahu said Israel remains engaged in a direct confrontation with Hezbollah and claimed Israeli forces had eliminated more than 600 Hezbollah fighters in recent weeks. He stressed that military operations would continue rather than slow down.

The latest developments highlight Israel’s expanding two-front campaign against Hamas in Gaza and Hezbollah in Lebanon. Analysts warn that the ongoing escalation could deepen instability across the Middle East and raise concerns about a wider regional conflict involving additional international actors.