The Gaza-based Palestinian group Hamas confirmed on May 27 that a May 26 Israeli military operation had killed Mohammed Odeh, the commander of Hamas' military wing, the BBC reported. This marks the second loss of a top Hamas military commander in less than two weeks, leaving the military wing temporarily leaderless as Israel tightens its grip on Gaza.

Odeh was the immediate successor to Izz al-Din al-Haddad, whom Israel assassinated on May 15. Hamas has shifted to a decentralized military and governing model that enables the group to retain influence and administrative functions where Israeli troops are not permanently stationed. The Israeli military currently controls approximately 60% of Gaza.