Day 963: IDF Kills Mohammed Odeh — Hamas Al-Qassam Brigades Commander and October 7 Architect — in Gaza City Airstrike on Eid al-Adha; 11 Days After Killing His Predecessor Haddad

On May 27, 2026 (Day 963 / Ceasefire Day 230 / Eid al-Adha), Israeli forces struck and killed Mohammed Odeh — the newly appointed commander of Hamas's Al-Qassam Brigades military wing — in an airstrike on the Rimal neighborhood of Gaza City. Odeh, who had been appointed on May 18, 2026 to replace Izz al-Din al-Haddad (killed by Israel on May 15–16, 2026), was killed just 9 days after his appointment — 11 days after his predecessor's death. Six people were killed in the strike, including Odeh's wife, two sons, and daughter. The IDF stated that Odeh was 'one of the last senior commanders in Hamas's military wing who took part in the planning and execution of the October 7 massacre.' Odeh previously served as Hamas's military intelligence chief and was a member of the Hamas Supreme Military Council during the planning and execution of Operation Al-Aqsa Flood on October 7, 2023. His assassination represents a direct continuation of the NILI task force campaign (revealed by the Wall Street Journal on May 21–22, 2026) — the secret Shin Bet/Mossad joint operation maintaining a comprehensive kill-or-capture list of all approximately 3,000 October 7 participants. Prime Minister Netanyahu confirmed the strike in a public statement, declaring: 'Any one who harmed Israeli citizens — we will get to him. Anyone who takes the role of harming Israelis — we will get to him as well.' Defense Minister Israel Katz similarly reaffirmed the commitment to pursue every October 7 perpetrator regardless of their current role. Hamas confirmed Odeh's death and issued a statement vowing to appoint a new commander. The killing came on Eid al-Adha — a significant Islamic holiday marking the end of the Hajj pilgrimage — and drew immediate international attention. Al Jazeera noted the strike underscores Israel's continued willingness to conduct targeted operations during major Islamic holidays. Odeh's elimination continues Israel's systematic elimination of all known senior October 7 architects: Sinwar (Oct 16, 2024), Shambari (Apr 29, 2026), Haddad (May 16, 2026), and now Odeh — the fourth senior architect eliminated in 2026. Phase Two ceasefire negotiations remain in total deadlock. 35 days remain until the Israeli Supreme Court's July 1, 2026 accountability deadline.