News Digest — 5/27/26
Major Hamas Commander, 10/7 Architect Eliminated In Gaza Strike
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz confirmed Tuesday evening (26th) that the Israeli Defense Forces carried out a strike in the Gaza Strip, killing Mohammed Odeh, the new leader of the military wing of Hamas.
Odeh had reportedly replaced Izz al-Din Haddad who served as commander of Hamas’ military wing.
Earlier, Arab sources reported powerful explosions in western Gaza City as a result of what was described as an IDF “fire belt” operation in the area. According to some reports, Israeli forces carried out three strikes near the Shaafout restaurant located along Salah al-Din Road in Gaza. According to a joint statement from Netanyahu’s and Katz’s offices, Odeh was considered one of the architects of the October 7 massacre and served as Hamas’ intelligence chief during the attack. He was reportedly appointed about a week ago as the successor to Haddad, who was killed in an Israeli strike in Gaza approximately two weeks earlier.
Odeh was responsible for the murder, abduction, and injury of many Israeli civilians and IDF soldiers,” the statement said.
The two leaders also praised the Israeli military and intelligence services, stating: “Congratulations to the IDF and the Shin Bet for their ongoing efforts to eliminate our enemies. We will continue to pursue everyone who took part in the October 7 massacre. Sooner or later, Israel will reach them all.”
Hamas Ramping Up Scare Tactics To Control Gazans, Khan Yunis Militia Leader Tells Post
Tension has mounted in Gaza in recent days after Hamas claimed that members of the Israeli-backed militias in the Strip requested to break away and rejoin Hamas.
Hussam al-Astal, head of the anti-Hamas militia in Khan Yunis, southern Gaza, rejected Hamas’ claims, arguing they were part of the organization’s psychological war to undermine the armed groups’ power, and pressure Gazans not to reach out to them.
“What Hamas says is not true,” al-Astal argued. “Dozens, even hundreds, of people in Gaza are trying to move to our area,” he told The Jerusalem Post. “Hamas is afraid and wants to prevent that, so that’s why they spread these things,” he said.
Hamas has claimed in recent days that individuals associated with armed groups operating in the Strip, supported by Israel, have approached the organization, seeking to defect from those groups and reconnect with Hamas.
The Radea force, a special Hamas security unit tasked with cracking down on internal threats and suspected collaborators with Israel, announced that it had received 10 appeals within just 12 hours from what it described as “members of collaborator gangs” who asked to “resolve their security files and return to their people.”
“The Radea force affirms that the growing number of requests reflects the extent of confusion and collapse within those gangs following the disclosure of their criminal activities and complete subordination to the occupation,” it said in a statement published on social media accounts.
“Hamas sees us as a threat to their rule. They don’t want us to get stronger; that’s why they incite against us and try to drive people away,” al-Astal said.
However, a Palestinian source told the Post that a small number of families of young men approached Hamas, saying their sons regretted joining the militias, especially because of the difficult economic situation, and now want to turn themselves in.
“It’s maybe ten out of hundreds,” the source said. “They will likely be questioned by Hamas, which will seek information about the militias: how they operate, how they use their weapons, and other details. Afterward, Hamas may release them, hoping this will encourage others in the militias to defect and provide information as well,” he added.
“.They (Hamas) are saying that our people are collaborators.” al-Astal alleged. “How exactly? It’s not that we are a group of only a few people. It’s a force, a segment of society. We have now turned into a force that fights Hamas. Collaborators hide. We are not hiding,” he said.
“I remember that when we started our activity about a year ago, it was only me and three others. We have grown to several hundred members and affiliates, and every day I get calls from civilians, individuals, and families, saying they wish they could free themselves from Hamas and move to our side,” he argued.
According to al-Astal, some Gazans living in the Hamas-controlled territory west of the yellow line realize that the terror organization puts them at risk – if any Hamas member hides nearby, they and their families could be targeted. However, he said, these residents face difficulties leaving the area because Hamas watches and they fear for their lives.
“They say that Hamas will not let them move, that they will be harmed or get shot. Others say they are concerned about how they will manage regarding schools for their children, medical care, and other services,” the Khan Yunis-based group leader explained.
Gazans say not much progress has been seen on the ground concerning the next phases of Trump’s 20-point plan for post-war Gaza.
Despite the apparent stalemate, al-Astal pointed to the efforts aimed at what he called rebuilding the New Gaza. “We already have a school here, and we call not only for youth to come join us in military training, but also for doctors, engineers, and anyone who can contribute and serve the people of Gaza,” he said.
“People are tired of Hamas. They’ve had enough,” al-Astal said.
Yet, while al-Astal’s armed group and several other anti-Hamas militias across the Gaza Strip are trying to portray themselves as an alternative to Hamas, they appear to have gained little trust among Palestinians.
“Many of us are frustrated by Hamas,” said a resident of Gaza City. “We do not want Hamas, but at the same time, we do not trust these militias. They are not as organized as Hamas. They do not know how to manage things,” he alleged.
“We don’t see them as capable of really protecting us,” the resident told the Post.
“Why should we live in war and death all the time? Hamas needs to go,” al-Astal asid, noting that the rule of Palestinian political organizations, Hamas and Fatah alike, has failed.
“I tell the people of Gaza let’s end Hamas’ oppression. No more political organizations that only care for their own members and interests. Let’s allow our young generation to live and develop,” al-Astal said.
“We can live side by side with Israel; I do not see a problem with that,” he argued.
Fatah Conference Pushes Gaza To The Margins – Yoni Ben Menachem
Fatah’s eighth Conference concluded on May 16, 2026, after three days of deliberations, Senior Fatah officials in Gaza say that the conference, convened under the shadow of the devastating war in the Strip and the deepening crisis within the Palestinian political system, failed to offer a new political vision or create any sense of renewal within the movement. There were hopes that Fatah’s leadership would attempt to rebuild its relationship with the public in Gaza and grant the Strip more meaningful representation within the movement’s institutions. In practice, however, the opposite occurred. The centers of influence remained firmly in the hands of senior figures aligned with the ruling camp headquarters in the Muqata in Ramallah, while representatives from Gaza were pushed to relatively marginal positions. The conference showed the weakened standing of Hussein al-Sheikh, currently regarded as a leading contender in the battle over the post-Abbas era, after he finished only fourth in the Central Committee elections. At the same time, the emergence of Yasser Abbas, the son of the PA president, drew considerable attention after he entered the Central Committee for the first time, securing the eighth position in the body. (Jerusalem Center for Foreign Affairs.)
(jcfa.org)
IDF Document Hails Cluster Munition As ‘Operational Success’ Against Drones
The Israel Defense Forces has defined the cluster munition used against the drone threat as an “operational success,” according to a lessons-learned-document obtained by Israel Hayom.
The document written by IDF Northern Command described an incident that took place on Monday (25th) in southern Lebanon, during which a Hezbollah explosive drone was launched at IDF forces. According to the document, “during an operational incident in the relevant sector, an explosive drone was successfully intercepted using Liya ammunition,” referring to the cluster munition.
The explosive drone was launched at the forces at around 1:30 p.m. local time, when a soldier from the engineering battalion operating under the 401st Brigade combat team intercepted it using the cluster munition from a range of about 200 feet.
The ammunition, which was supplied in recent days to troops in southern Lebanon, is intended for short ranges of about 165 feet and medium ranges of about 300 feet. Apparently, the soldier who intercepted the threat was the only member of his team authorized to use the specific ammunition, which is stored in a “desert” magazine with a red marking on the vest.
While the drone’s frame remained relatively intact, the warhead attached to it was completely detached, and significant damage was recorded to the battery and electrical system themselves. The document concluded that the use of the ammunition at medium range was appropriate, that even a partial hit can neutralize the threat and that the availability of the magazine was what enabled the trained soldier to fire at the drone.
Despite the isolated incident, at this stage it is impossible to know whether the cluster munition will be what brings the challenge of explosive drones to an end. In addition to this type of ammunition, the IDF has recently been trying to deal with the threat, which has exacted a heavy toll on the battlefield, by deploying dedicated nets, concealing sites and using systems such as the “pegion” sight, which is relevant for interceptions at medium and long ranges.
Among other things, the military sought to arm its soldiers with the cluster munition to maximize damage to explosive drones, and to provide them with shotguns, which are particularly effective at short ranges of up to about 165 feet and use pellets that scatter over a wide area.
Israel Removes Prophet’s Tomb From Islamic Waqf Control
Israel’s Civil Administration has removed control of the tomb of a biblical prophet from an Islamic Trust (Waqf), placing the tomb under direct Israeli authority.
The Civil Administration issued an expropriation order earlier this month for roughly 10 dunams near Nabi Samuel, a prominent archaeological and religious site north of Jerusalem revered by Jews, Muslims and Christians as the traditional burial place of the biblical prophet Samuel.
The order dated May 9 and reported this week by Israeli and Palestinian groups, says the land is being acquired for the “development and preservation of the archaeological site of the Tomb of the Prophet Samuel.”
The area includes access roads, agricultural land, a spring, archaeological remains and the mosque compound at the center of the site.
The site known in Hebrew as Kever Shmuel Hanavi and in Arabic as Nabi Samwil, has long been religiously sensitive but relatively quiet.
The main building, whose current structure includes remains from the Crusader period, is used for both Jewish and Muslim prayer.
Muslim worship takes place on the entrance level, while a Jewish prayer area is located below.
The Israel Nature and Parks Authority describes Nabi Samuel Park as a site combining antiquities, terraced agriculture landscapes, a spring and orchards, with “the Tomb of the Prophet Samuel” at the center.
Its listed points of interest include Second Temple-era remains, a Crusader fortress, the tomb, Hannah’s Spring and remnants of mountain agriculture.
The Peace Now organization said the order was the first time the Civil Administration had expropriated a holy site owned by the Muslim Waqf in Judea and Samaria.
“Once again, we find ourselves confronting decisions by the Civil Administration, operating under Minister Smotrich, that are intended to expand and deepen annexation,” Peace Now said.
