Odeh, who was the head of military intelligence in Hamas\u2019s al-Qassam Brigades during the October 7, 2023, attack, was said by the outlet to have been close to al-Haddad and to have worked with him to \u201crenew the organizational structure\u201d of Hamas following the assassination of its former leaders Muhammad Deif and Muhammad Sinwar during the ensuing war.<\/p>\n
Citing a source familiar with the details, the report said Odeh was initially approached to lead the al-Qassam Brigades following Sinwar\u2019s assassination in May 2025, but declined. However, the two other sources said they could not confirm that it was the case. Sinwar\u2019s brother Yahya had been the head of Hamas before he was killed by the IDF in May 2024.<\/p>\n
According to the report, Odeh was tasked with gathering intelligence on IDF bases near the Gaza border and on weak points in the military\u2019s Gaza Division in the run-up to October 7.<\/p>\n
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\t\t\t\tBy signing up, you agree to the terms<\/a><\/p>\n Odeh, estimated to be in his late 40s to early 50s, grew up in Gaza and was reported to have been involved with Hamas his whole life. In the past, he was involved with the group\u2019s security unit that sought out Israeli spies.<\/p>\n Israel has tried to kill Odeh several times, and a strike on his father\u2019s house in Gaza in 2025 killed his eldest son, Amr.<\/p>\n On October 7, 2023, Hamas led a devastating invasion of southern Israel that killed 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and triggered the Gaza war.<\/p>\n
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