Lead
Israel's Defense Minister Israel Katz confirmed the assassination of Mohammed Ouda, the head of Hamas's military wing, the Izzadin al-Qassam Brigades. The announcement, made on Wednesday, came 12 days after Israeli forces killed his predecessor, Izz al-Din al-Haddad, according to reports. Ouda was a key figure in the October 7, 2023 attack on Israel and had recently been appointed to lead the military wing.
Coverage Comparison
The killing was reported by multiple outlets with different emphases. The Guardian focused on Katz's statement linking the operation to a broader plan for large-scale Palestinian migration from Gaza, which it described as potential ethnic cleansing. The Jerusalem Post, in several articles, highlighted the military significance of the strike, noting the rapid succession of leadership eliminations and Israel's intelligence capabilities.
While The Guardian's coverage centered on the humanitarian and legal implications of Israel's policies, the Jerusalem Post's reporting detailed the operational context, including the assassination of two Hamas military chiefs within 11 days and the impact on Hamas's leadership structure. Both outlets confirmed Ouda's role and the timing of the strike, though they framed the aftermath differently.
Key Claims
Assassination of Mohammed Ouda
The Israeli Prime Minister's Office announced that the IDF had struck Mohammed Ouda in Gaza, describing him as the new leader of Hamas's military wing and 'one of the architects of the October 7 massacre.' Defense Minister Katz confirmed the assassination in a statement, vowing that those who led the attack would be eliminated. According to reports, Ouda served as head of military intelligence for the Qassam Brigades during the October 7 attack and had been appointed to replace Ezzedine al-Haddad, who was killed two weeks earlier.
Leadership Succession and Hamas's Status
Hamas had named Ouda as its new military chief following the assassination of Izz ad-Din al-Haddad, as reported by the London-based Saudi outlet Asharq al-Awsat. Ouda, who had previously been offered the role after the killing of Mohammed Sinwar in May 2025 but turned it down, was selected partly because he was one of the last remaining council members with an active role in planning the October 7 attack. According to reports, the only remaining member of Hamas's core council is home front commander Imad Aqel, who did not participate in the attack.
The Jerusalem Post reported that Hamas appears leaderless in Gaza after Ouda's killing, having lost most of its brigade and battalion commanders over nearly three years of conflict. However, the report noted that Israel has not sought to capitalize on the power vacuum strategically, leaving Hamas in control of parts of Gaza.
Migration Plan and Legal Concerns
The Guardian reported that Katz's statement included a commitment to implement a 'voluntary emigration plan' for Palestinians from Gaza. The report noted that such mass departures would violate the ceasefire plan signed with the US, which calls for Gaza's redevelopment for the benefit of its people. The forced transfer of civilian populations is considered a war crime, and human rights organizations in Israel have warned that the conditions imposed on Gaza make any departure anything but voluntary.
Perspectives
Israeli Government
In confirming the assassination, Defense Minister Katz said, 'We pledged to eliminate everyone who led the October 7 massacre, and that is what we will do: They are all marked for death, everywhere.' He also reiterated plans for Hamas not to rule Gaza and for the 'voluntary emigration' of Palestinians.
Human Rights Organizations
The Association for Civil Rights in Israel (ACRI) has criticized the migration plan, stating that creating living conditions that leave civilians with no choice but to leave constitutes a plan for forced evacuation, not voluntary emigration.