7 Palestinians killed in Israeli strike in Gaza

At least seven Palestinians were killed and 18 others injured on Wednesday evening in an Israeli airstrike on a house in central Gaza City, according to the Palestine Red Crescent Society, while the Israeli military said it had targeted two senior Hamas figures in the enclave, reported Xinhua. The Red Crescent Society said in a press statement that its crews transferred the bodies of at least seven victims and 18 injured people following an Israeli airstrike that hit a residential house in central Gaza City. The injured were taken to the society's Al-Saraya Field Hospital, the statement said. Local sources and eyewitnesses told Xinhua that Israeli warplanes fired at least two missiles at the house, causing a large explosion, a fire, and flying shrapnel. The sources said the death toll and number of injuries could rise, adding that the strike caused extensive destruction to the surrounding area, where a camp sheltering dozens of displaced families is located, damaging many of the tents there. In a brief statement, the Israeli military confirmed carrying out the strike, saying it had targeted two central Hamas figures in the Gaza Strip without providing further details. No immediate comment was issued by Hamas regarding the Israeli strike. Earlier, Hamas on Wednesday officially confirmed that Mohammed Odeh, the newly-appointed commander-in-chief of the group's armed wing, the Al-Qassam Brigades, was killed in an Israeli airstrike on Tuesday evening. In a press statement, Hamas mourned Odeh, who it said had been involved in the group's military activities for more than 30 years and considered among the early founders of its armed operations. Odeh played a key role in planning, preparation and military development during various stages of the Israel-Hamas conflict, it said. Hamas accused Israel of carrying out the strikes in blatant violation of all values, norms, laws and divine principles. It said the strikes also killed Odeh's wife and two of his sons, among others. Earlier in the day, Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz said in a statement that Odeh, whom he described as Hamas' fourth-ranking official, had been killed. We promised that Hamas will not have military or civilian control over Gaza, and so it will be, Katz said. Odeh was appointed about a week ago to succeed Izz al-Din al-Haddad, who was killed in an Israeli strike on May 15. Since the onset of the Israel-Hamas conflict on Oct. 7, 2023, Israel has killed a number of senior Hamas military and political figures in Gaza and beyond, according to Israeli and Palestinian statements.