GAZA CITY: Hamas Confirmed Wednesday that an Israeli airstrike in Gaza Metropolis killed the brand new chief of its army wing lower than two weeks after his predecessor was killed.
Hundreds gathered for a joint funeral and the Muslim vacation of Eid al-Adha started below the shadow of struggle.
Mohammed Odeh died Tuesday alongside along with his spouse and two of his youngsters in an airstrike on a market, the militant group mentioned in a press release. Israeli Protection Minister Israel Katz introduced earlier that the Israeli army had focused and killed Odeh.
Native hospitals reported that at the least 5 folks, together with Odeh and his relations, have been killed and 12 others have been injured within the strike, which got here on the eve of the main Muslim vacation.
Hundreds of mourners marched Wednesday from a mosque via Gaza Metropolis for the joint funeral of Odeh’s household. The 4 our bodies have been draped in inexperienced Hamas flags, with mourners chanting and firing pictures within the air.
Some carried posters bearing Odeh’s picture emblazoned with the phrases “one of many chiefs of employees of the Qassam Brigades,” a reference to Hamas’ army wing.
Hamas condemned the strike and mentioned Odeh had been energetic with the group for greater than three a long time, describing him as a part of the primary era that helped set up the motion’s armed wing.
The assault got here as Muslims ready for Eid al-Adha, or the “Feast of Sacrifice,” a four-day vacation usually marked by household gatherings, new garments, presents and enormous meals.
However the vacation is once more subdued in Gaza, the place the overwhelming majority of individuals stay displaced and reside in tents or short-term shelters after a devastating struggle.
Round 90% of Gaza’s greater than 2 million folks have misplaced their properties, in keeping with UN estimates, with most sheltering in sprawling tent camps stricken by rat infestations and sewage swimming pools, depending on support to outlive.
A ceasefire reached between Israel and Hamas in October stays fragile. Israeli assaults have killed greater than 880 Palestinians for the reason that truce took impact, in keeping with Palestinian well being officers, who say scores of civilians have been among the many lifeless.
The Palestinian Well being Ministry in Gaza says greater than 72,803 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli hearth for the reason that starting of the struggle.
