Israel airstrike targets Hamas spokesman Abu Obeida in Gaza's City's al-Rimal. Image: aijac.
(The Post News)– Israel announced on Sunday that its troops killed Abu Obeida, the masked spokesman for Hamas’ armed wing, in an attack on Gaza City. If confirmed, the strike removes one of Hamas’ most familiar faces, infamous for his inflammatory threats against Israel.
Symbol of Hamas Propaganda
Abu Obeida, which means “Obeida’s father” and is a nickname, had for years been Hamas’ al-Qassam Brigades’ public face. Always masked by a red-checkered kaffiyeh, he would make defiant announcements vowing to take revenge on Israel. Both American and Israeli officials identified him as Hudhayfa al-Kahlut, although Hamas never officially disclosed his real identity.
On Friday, hours before the Israeli assault, Abu Obeida issued what was possibly his final statement. He warned that hostages in Gaza would face the same fate as Hamas fighters if Israel attempted to capture Gaza City.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) and the Shin Bet security service said they located Abu Obeida in the al-Rimal neighborhood of Gaza City. Five targeted missiles struck the second and third floors of a six-story apartment building that also housed a dental clinic on Saturday night.
The attack killed at least five people, according to the Palestinian Civil Defense. Local reporters said seven people were killed and 20 injured, including children. A Hamas security official confirmed Abu Obeida was in the building but would not say if he had survived.
Residents described the chaos in vivid detail. Mohammed Emad, a local barber, said, “The explosions were terrible. I saw children bleeding, people screaming, and everybody running as if it was the end of the world.”
Witnesses also reported money flying from the destroyed building, blowing into the streets. Hamas later claimed to have retrieved most of the money.
Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz praised the operation, calling it an “impeccable execution.” Katz congratulated the IDF and the Shin Bet for eliminating “the public face of the Hamas terrorist organization.” Katz warned that Israel would intensify its Gaza operation and target other Hamas leaders.
In a joint statement, the IDF and Shin Bet credited weeks of intelligence for locating Abu Obeida. They also indicated that they used precision weapons and air surveillance to minimize civilian casualties. Independent organizations have not, however, verified these claims.
The walkout came as Israel finished preparations for a ground assault to capture Gaza City. The city, home to nearly one million people, has already been subjected to round-the-clock bombardment. Israel has said it will relocate civilians to shelters in the south before the attack.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has dismissed global calls for a ceasefire, declaring Israel must crush Hamas once and for all. Britain’s ambassador to Israel warned that a total military takeover of Gaza City would be “a huge mistake.” The United Nations was also worried, declaring the assault could have “catastrophic consequences” for civilians, in addition to hostages who are still in Gaza.
Abu Obeida’s Legacy of Violence
Abu Obeida rose to prominence after Hamas’s October 7, 2023, assault on Israel. The assault murdered an estimated 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and saw 251 hostages being kidnapped into Gaza. In its aftermath, Abu Obeida released hostage videos and propaganda promising further bloodshed to Israel.
Israel has subsequently assassinated several Hamas leaders, including Yahya Sinwar, Muhammad Deif, and Ismail Haniyeh. Israeli officials argued that Abu Obeida helped produce videos forcing hostages to speak on camera, which human rights groups described as war crimes.
Despite losing high-ranking leaders, Hamas has continued to resist. Israeli and US officials report that the group has replenished fighters and maintained a steady insurgency across Gaza.
The civilian cost rises by the day. The Hamas-led health ministry in Gaza has put the number of Palestinians killed at more than 63,000 since the fighting began, though Israel reports the figures include many militants.
The United Nations confirmed that Gaza City and the district are now facing famine. More than 90% of homes are destroyed or damaged, and health care, water, and sanitation infrastructure have all broken down. Nearly the entire population has been displaced multiple times, often after fleeing from neighborhoods bombed out, only to face hunger and disease elsewhere.
A BBC-verified video from Saturday night showed injured residents running into the streets. One man carried a bleeding child while another body lay covered in fabric. “I can’t believe I’m alive,” Emad said, recalling the explosion.
Israel insists Abu Obeida is dead, but there has been silence from Hamas. The group often delays confirmation of the deaths of high-ranking officials, hoping to preserve an aura of strength. For now, Abu Obeida’s fate hangs between Israel’s statement and Hamas’s silence.
As Israel prepares to attack Gaza City, there are no signs of an end to the violence. Netanyahu still promises to obliterate Hamas, while civilians in Gaza contend with hunger, bombardment, and displacement. Whether the death of Abu Obeida is a turning point or a new chapter in a relentless war is unclear.
About the Author
