Less than 2 weeks back, his predecessor Iz al-Din al-Hadad was taken out by Israel in a targeted attack, after which Odeh became the military wing chief of the terror outfit Hamas.
The Israel–Hamas hostage exchange began Monday as Hamas handed over seven Israeli captives to the Red Cross in the first phase of a landmark cease-fire agreement. Israel is set to release nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners as part of the multi-phase operation, marking a key step toward easing two years of devastating conflict.