Report: Mohammad Odeh Is the Successor to Hamas' Eliminated Military Wing Chief in Gaza
By Sapir Lipkin
News In Brief:
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Odeh is the most senior remaining figure in Hamas' military wing in Gaza and is known as the head of the organization’s intelligence staff.
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He is identified as one of the architects of the October 7 attack and was involved in the intelligence apparatus that preceded the massacre.
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According to sources, Odeh oversaw northern Gaza after al-Haddad was appointed chief of staff of Hamas' military wing.
Three Hamas sources in the Gaza Strip told the Saudi newspaper Asharq Al-Awsat that Mohammad Odeh – described as one of the architects of the October 7 massacre – has been selected as the new commander of Hamas' military wing, replacing Izz al-Din al-Haddad. Odeh is considered the most senior remaining official in Hamas’ military wing in Gaza and is known as the head of the organization's intelligence staff.
The Most Senior Figure Remaining in Gaza
- He is responsible for collecting, processing, and directing Hamas military intelligence in the Gaza Strip, while also coordinating between various field units.
- Odeh is identified as having been part of Hamas' senior military leadership in the period leading up to the October 7 attack, and as someone involved in the planning and preparation circles of the intelligence network that facilitated the assault.
- In the reality created following significant blows to Hamas' senior command ranks, he is viewed as one of the figures helping preserve the continuity of command and control within Hamas' military wing, alongside other commanders operating in complementary frameworks on the ground.
The Saudi Report
According to one source, Mohammad Odeh – who served as head of military intelligence staff and was among the architects of the October 7 massacre – was offered command of Hamas’ military wing after the killing of Mohammed Sinwar in May 2025, but refused. According to the same source, his refusal led to responsibility being transferred to Izz al-Din al-Haddad. Two other sources said they had no verified information regarding this claim.
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According to those sources, Odeh had already been overseeing the northern sector and its day-to-day management after al-Haddad was appointed chief of staff of Hamas’ military wing. As part of his role, he monitored the activities of the new commanders of the Gaza and Northern Brigades – considered the northern arena – both militarily and organizationally/logistically, while continuing to hold central responsibility for the intelligence apparatus.
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The same sources said Odeh’s connection to Hamas began during the First Intifada in 1987. He reportedly also took part in the activities of the “Al-Majd” unit, a security mechanism established by Yahya Sinwar to identify Palestinians suspected of collaborating with Israel.
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It was further claimed that Odeh played a central role in developing the intelligence apparatus within the Izz al-Din al-Qassam Brigades, which became one of the organization’s key components. According to the sources, he preferred covert work and did not typically operate with personal security or a driver, instead usually acting alone for security reasons.
After the killing of Ahmad Randor, who served as commander of the northern Gaza brigade, the Saudi newspaper Asharq Al-Awsat reported in September that Odeh replaced him in the role. He reportedly called on operatives and field commanders in Hamas' northern brigade, as well as displaced residents in Gaza City, to cooperate with their "brothers-in-arms" from the Gaza Brigade, unite around them, and participate in military plans to fight Israeli forces.