Mohammad Odeh is New Hamas Chief in Gaza

Hamas has selected intelligence chief Mohammed Odeh to replace Izz al-Din al-Haddad as the terrorist organization’s leader in the Gaza Strip and head of its military wing, the Saudi outlet Asharq Al-Awsat reported Monday, citing three sources familiar with the matter.

Al-Haddad was killed in an Israeli strike on Friday.

Odeh served as head of military intelligence in Hamas’s al-Qassam Brigades during the October 7, 2023 attack on Israel. According to the report, he was close to al-Haddad and worked with him to rebuild Hamas’s organizational structure after Israel killed several of the group’s senior leaders during the war, including Muhammad Deif and Muhammad Sinwar.

The report said Odeh was approached to lead the al-Qassam Brigades after Sinwar was killed in May 2025, but declined the position. Two other sources cited by the outlet said they could not confirm that account.

Odeh is believed to be in his late 40s or early 50s and grew up in Gaza. He has reportedly been involved with Hamas for most of his life and previously worked in the group’s internal security unit, which was responsible for identifying suspected Israeli collaborators.

According to Asharq Al-Awsat, Odeh played a key role in preparations for the October 7 massacre. He was reportedly tasked with gathering intelligence on IDF bases near the Gaza border and identifying weak points in the military’s Gaza Division ahead of the attack.

On October 7, 2023, Hamas-led terrorists invaded southern Israel, killing some 1,200 people, most of them civilians, and abducting 251 hostages to Gaza.

Israel has reportedly attempted to kill Odeh several times. A 2025 strike on his father’s home in Gaza killed his eldest son, Amr.

The reported appointment comes as Hamas continues to reorganize after the loss of senior military and political figures. On Saturday, Hamas also said it had failed to choose a new political leader in its first round of internal elections, leaving the broader leadership race unresolved.

The group has been trying to restore command structures in Gaza while continuing to reject demands to disarm under the ceasefire framework. Israeli officials have said Hamas is rebuilding parts of its military wing and preparing for renewed fighting.