Hamas struggles to fill leadership ranks as Israel hunts Oct 7 terrorists

An Israeli airstrike in Gaza City killed Mohammed Odeh, the newly appointed head of Hamas’ military wing, according to Israeli officials and later confirmed by Hamas. Odeh, who replaced Izz al-Din al-Haddad just days earlier, was described by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz as one of the architects of the October 7, 2023 attacks. Family members were also killed in the strike, which took place as Eid al-Adha celebrations began, with Gaza’s markets remaining crowded and daily life seemingly unaffected. The strike underscores Hamas’ leadership crisis, with analysts like Hadeel Oueis of Jusoor News warning of a ‘clear vacuum’ weakening coordination between Hamas factions in Gaza and abroad. Oueis suggested the group is now struggling to maintain control amid the deaths of key commanders, including Yahya Sinwar, who was killed by Israeli forces in October 2024. Residents in Gaza expressed indifference to the deaths of Hamas leaders, with one activist stating ordinary people have borne the brunt of the war’s devastation. ‘Families have lost everything,’ the activist said, criticizing Hamas leaders abroad—whose children live comfortably in Turkey and Qatar—while Gaza’s population faces near-total destruction. Another journalist called Hamas’ actions reckless, harming Palestinians as much as Israelis. The strike follows Israel’s repeated targeting of Hamas commanders, including al-Haddad in May, as part of its broader campaign to dismantle the group’s military and political structure. Netanyahu and Katz vowed in a joint statement that Israel would continue to pursue those responsible for the October 7 attacks, emphasizing the relentless nature of the offensive. Despite the leadership losses, Hamas remains a dominant force in Gaza, though its grip is increasingly contested by smaller militias. The disconnect between Hamas leaders and civilians, who face daily hardships, has deepened, with many questioning the group’s priorities amid the war’s humanitarian toll.