Gaza war | Israel says it killed Hamas leader just a week after appointment

Israel announced Wednesday that it had killed Mohammed Ouda, identified as the new leader of Hamas's armed wing, in a strike carried out on Tuesday. The announcement was made jointly by Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

According to Katz and Netanyahu, Ouda had been appointed to succeed Ezzedine al-Haddad, whom Israel claims to have killed on May 15, only about a week prior to his own death. However, news agency AFP reports that Hamas has not officially confirmed Ouda's ascension to the leadership of its military wing.

Israel asserts that Ouda served as the head of Hamas intelligence during the Palestinian militant groups' coordinated attacks on Israel on October 7. Prime Minister Netanyahu has vowed that Israel will eliminate all those responsible for the October 7 attacks. The ongoing conflict in Gaza has seen Israel claim the deaths of numerous Hamas leaders, including figures from the political wing.

Despite a de facto ceasefire being in place between Israel and Hamas, targeted killings have reportedly continued. This latest claim by Israel follows previous statements about eliminating key figures within the militant organization.

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We will kill those responsible for the October 7 attack.