The fragile ceasefire in Gaza continues to unravel as Israel confirmed the targeted killing of the newly appointed head of Hamas’s armed wing, Mohammed Odeh, while facing a widening international backlash over settler violence and the treatment of aid activists.
Israel Eliminates Successive Hamas Military Commanders
Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz announced on Wednesday that Odeh, who had only assumed leadership of the Ezzedine Al-Qassam Brigades approximately one week prior, was “eliminated” in a strike on Tuesday. Odeh succeeded Ezzedine al-Haddad, who was killed in a similar Israeli attack on May 15.
“In the Prime Minister’s name and in my own, congratulations to the IDF and the Shin Bet on the brilliant execution,” Katz stated on social media. A joint statement from Katz and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu noted that Odeh had served as the head of Hamas intelligence during the October 7 attacks. Hamas has yet to issue an official comment on the assassination.
Diplomatic Pressure Mounts on Multiple Fronts
While military operations persist, diplomatic actions against Israel are intensifying globally. Ireland announced plans to pass legislation by mid-July banning trade with goods originating from Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank. Foreign Minister Helen McEntee cited a “continued increase in settler violence” and argued that the Israeli government has “no desire” to pursue a peaceful solution.
Simultaneously, Italy has formally requested that the European Union adopt sanctions against Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir. The call follows widespread condemnation of a video posted by the far-right minister mocking activists from a Gaza-bound aid flotilla who were forced to kneel with their hands tied after being intercepted in international waters.
Pakistan and Muslim Nations Rally for Palestinian Cause
Pakistan has emerged as a vocal diplomatic actor. Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar reaffirmed Pakistan’s “unwavering support” for the Palestinian struggle for self-determination during a meeting with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres in New York. Dar praised the UN chief’s advocacy for the two-state solution and the implementation of the Gaza Peace Plan under Security Council Resolution 2803.
In a coordinated move, Pakistan joined seven other Muslim nations in condemning the “appalling, degrading, and unacceptable actions” against the flotilla detainees. Furthermore, Pakistan and thirteen other countries issued a joint statement from Islamabad condemning the opening of a purported “Somaliland” embassy in occupied Jerusalem, calling it a violation of international law and reaffirming that East Jerusalem remains occupied Palestinian territory.
Civilian Toll Continues to Rise
Despite the formal ceasefire framework established in October, violence continues to claim civilian lives. Medics reported that Israeli strikes killed at least seven Palestinians on Tuesday alone, including five fatalities in the Maghazi refugee camp where a drone targeted civilians confronting an anti-Hamas militia. An additional airstrike on a vehicle in Khan Younis killed two more individuals.
Earlier, Al-Aqsa Martyrs hospital in Deir el-Balah confirmed that a pre-dawn strike on an apartment in the Al-Nuseirat camp killed three members of a family, including a one-year-old child. While the Israeli military did not comment on the specific civilian deaths, it stated that it had struck three Hamas weapons storage facilities in the preceding 24 hours. The total Palestinian death toll since October 2023 has now surpassed 73,000.
Canada Demands Independent Investigation
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has also entered the fray, directly telling Israeli President Isaac Herzog that the treatment of flotilla activists—twelve of whom are Canadian citizens—was “unacceptable.” Carney called for an independent investigation and “strongly condemned” the remarks made by Minister Ben-Gvir, as diplomatic tensions between Israel and its allies continue to escalate amid the stalled truce talks.
