Israel says it killed newly appointed Hamas military chief in Gaza

JERUSALEM - Israel said on Wednesday that it had killed Mohammed Odeh, the newly appointed commander-in-chief of Hamas' armed wing, the Al-Qassam Brigades, in a strike in Gaza.

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.

Hamas did not immediately confirm or comment on the report. Palestinian media reported that Odeh was killed along with his wife, two sons and daughter in a strike in western Gaza City.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Tuesday night that Israeli forces had attempted to assassinate Odeh in a strike carried out under his and Katz's direction, but gave no details on the outcome.

Odeh was appointed about a week ago to succeed Izz al-Din al-Haddad, who was killed in an Israeli strike on May 15.