• Israel conducted an airstrike targeting Mohammed Odeh, the new chief of Hamas's armed wing.
• At least three civilians were reported killed, with scores injured in the attack.
• The strike comes just days after the assassination of Odeh's predecessor.
• Israeli PM Netanyahu has vowed to continue targeting Hamas leaders.
• Health ministry figures indicate ongoing high civilian casualties in Gaza.

On May 26, Israel reported conducting an airstrike in Gaza aimed at Mohammed Odeh, the new head of Hamas's military wing, Ezzedine Al-Qassam Brigades. This action followed the death of his predecessor, Ezzedine Al-Haddad, in a similar attack earlier in May. In a joint statement, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz described Odeh as "one of the architects of the October 7 massacre," asserting his responsibility for various attacks against Israeli civilians and soldiers, according to Channel News Asia and Le Monde.

The strike, which targeted a building in Gaza City's Rimal neighborhood, resulted in at least three confirmed deaths and over twenty injuries, with local witnesses reporting that multiple missiles hit almost simultaneously. Rescue operations faced challenges due to the extensive damage inflicted on the building, which housed civilians, according to information from BBC and Le Monde.

According to the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF), the operation was part of an ongoing campaign to eliminate key figures in Hamas following the group's deadly attacks on October 7, which resulted in significant casualties. Israeli officials emphasized their commitment to pursue those involved in the massacre, which claimed around 1,200 lives, according to the Israeli government's tallies Channel News Asia and BBC.

The ongoing military actions have led to substantial civilian casualties, with the Hamas-run health ministry reporting that over 72,803 people have died due to Israeli retaliatory strikes. These figures have been noted as reliable by the United Nations Channel News Asia, BBC, and Le Monde.