The Israel Defence Forces (IDF) also accused Odeh of involvement in killings, kidnappings and attacks targeting Israeli civilians and security personnel during the October 7 assault.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaking during an official address with Israeli flag in background. (FILE PIC)
The Israel Defence Forces (IDF) today eliminated Muhammad Deif in Gaza, identifying him as one of the architects linked to the planning and execution of the October 7 assault on Israel. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, in a post on X, confirmed the strike and reiterated Israel’s intent to continue its campaign against those involved in the October 7 attack.
“We have now struck in Gaza Muhammad Deif, the leader of Hamas’s military wing and one of the architects of the October 7 massacre. We will get to all of them,” Netanyahu said, framing the operation as part of a broader push against Hamas leadership.
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תקפנו עכשיו בעזה את מוחמד עודה – מנהיג הזרוע הצבאית של חמאס ואחד מאדריכלי טבח ה-7 באוקטובר. אנחנו נגיע לכולם
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— Benjamin Netanyahu – בנימין נתניהו (@netanyahu) May 26, 2026
The Israeli Prime Minister’s Office stated that the strike was carried out on the instructions of Netanyahu and Defence Minister Israel Katz.
Israeli authorities said Muhammad Deif had served as head of Hamas’ intelligence apparatus during the October 7 attack and had recently been elevated to a senior military leadership position following the killing of Ezzedine al-Haddad in an earlier strike.
Officials also accused Muhammad Deif of involvement in killings, kidnappings, and attacks targeting Israeli civilians and security personnel during the October 7 assault.
Also, the Israel Defence Forces reported the destruction of around 11 kilometres of underground tunnel networks in the Beit Hanoun area of northern Gaza. The military defined the zone as a long-standing Hamas stronghold, with tunnels running beneath residential buildings, roads, and public facilities used for operational activity against Israeli targets.
🎯DISMANTLED: ~11km of underground tunnel routes east of the Yellow Line in the Beit Hanoun area in northern Gaza.
The area served as a central Hamas terrorist stronghold. An underground network built beneath residential homes, public institutions & roads, and used by the… pic.twitter.com/5B5IqPJWrj
— Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) May 26, 2026
Benjamin Netanyahu also outlined broader military operations under Operation “Lion’s Roar,” stating that thousands of Hezbollah operatives had been eliminated since its launch. He said Israeli forces continued to dismantle infrastructure near civilian areas, strengthen security zones, and conduct targeted strikes across multiple fronts, including Beirut, while addressing emerging threats such as explosive drones.
מאז מבצע ״שאגת הארי״ חיסלנו כ־2,500 מחבלי חיזבאללה.
בזמן הפסקת האש בלבד חוסלו 700 מחבלי חיזבאללה – יותר מחבלים מאשר חוסלו במלחמת לבנון השנייה כולה.
כוחותינו משלימים את הריסת תשתיות הטרור הסמוכים ליישובינו.
כוחות גדולים של צה״ל פועלים בעומק השטח, תופסים שטחים שולטים ומבצרים את… pic.twitter.com/uKABYRYKLq
— Benjamin Netanyahu – בנימין נתניהו (@netanyahu) May 26, 2026
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