Israel Confirms Death of Hamas Spokesman Abu Obeida in Gaza Strike
Israel announced on Sunday that Hudayfa Samir Abdallah al-Kahlout, better known by his nom de guerre Abu Obeida, the longtime spokesman for Hamas’s military wing, was killed in an Israeli airstrike on Gaza City in the northern Gaza Strip on Saturday.
The Israel Defense Forces and Shin Bet initially reported that the operation had targeted a senior Hamas figure, without naming him. However, reports quickly identified the target as the militant group’s most recognizable spokesman, and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed the information during Sunday’s weekly cabinet meeting.
At first, there was uncertainty over whether the strike had achieved its objective. Security officials voiced cautious optimism before Defense Minister Israel Katz confirmed later on Sunday that Abu Obeida had indeed been killed.
In a post on X, Defense Minister Israel Katz declared that Hamas spokesman Abu Obeida “was sent to join the eliminated members of the axis of evil from Iran, Gaza, Lebanon, and Yemen at the bottom of hell.” Katz added that, as Israel’s campaign in Gaza escalates, “he will soon be joined by many more of his partners in crime — Hamas murderers and rapists.”
Not long after Katz’s remarks, the Israel Defense Forces released a statement confirming that Abu Obeida had indeed been the target of Saturday’s strike. Describing him as “the face of the terrorist organization,” the IDF said the operation was planned and carried out in coordination with the Shin Bet, the Southern Command, and Military Intelligence, based on prior intelligence that revealed his location.
According to the military, Abu Obeida spent the past decade running the propaganda arm of Hamas’s military wing. He directed spokesperson activities across various units, served as the key link between Hamas’s political media and its armed wing, and played the central role in shaping the group’s propaganda strategy.
Hamas’s propaganda wing, said the IDF, “was responsible for distributing the atrocities of the October 7 massacre using footage captured by Hamas terrorists.”
Earlier on Sunday, Netanyahu had said at the opening of the weekly cabinet meeting that Israel had not yet been able to confirm if Abu Obeida had been killed.
