After Israel announced that its troops killed Muhammad Odeh, leader of Hamas' military wing, in an airstrike at north Gaza on Tuesday, only one senior Hamas figure who orchestrated the October 7 massacre is alive. Imad Aqel, the lone survivor, is one of the veteran leaders of the Palestine military organisation.
Aqel’s position as the lone survivor came to light after Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz announced that Israeli fighter jets attacked with missiles in the Rimal neighbourhood of Gaza City, killing Odeh, the shadowy figure who was appointed only a week ago to replace Izz ad-Din Haddad, the former militant chief. Haddad was eliminated by Israel on May 15.
Katz added that Odeh’s wife and three of his children were also killed with him.
Meanwhile, not much is known about Aqel, who rarely appears in public. He has maintained a relatively low profile for years and is considered one of the most experienced members of Hamas' military wing. According to security sources and Arab publications, he serves as the head of the organisation's "home front headquarters" and is responsible for sabotage, production, and weapons. In the past, he also commanded the Central Camps Brigade in the Gaza Strip and is considered a very professional and operational figure within the military wing's apparatus.
Unlike figures like Yahya Sinwar or Muhammad Deif, Aqel hardly became a public or political symbol, which helped him survive several attempts by Israel to assassinate him. He mostly remains behind the scenes and is said to possess extensive knowledge of Hamas' production systems, tunnels, and internal command. His role as an important figure in the reconstruction of Hamas makes him a major Israeli target.
Alongside Akel, the IDF is also monitoring the new generation of commanders that Hamas is trying to foster after the severe blow to its leadership. One of the most prominent names is Muhand Rajab, who is believed to have recently been promoted to the position of commander of the "Gaza Brigade." Rajab, a man from Tel al-Hawa in Gaza City, worked for years in Hamas' military intelligence and is considered a tactical and professional figure rather than a charismatic one. According to estimates, he is part of the organisation's effort to rebuild the chain of command after the elimination of the veteran generation of commanders.