Israel Says Hamas Spokesperson Obeida Eliminated in Gaza

Led Psychological Warfare for 20 Years Behind a Mask

On August 31 (local time), Israel announced that it had killed Abu Obeida, who had served as the spokesperson for the Palestinian militant group Hamas, in an airstrike.

Abu Obeida, known as the spokesperson for the Palestinian militant group Hamas. Photo by Reuters Yonhap News

Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz stated on X (formerly Twitter), "Abu Obeida, the Hamas terror spokesperson, has been eliminated in Gaza," adding, "He has fallen to the depths of hell, where he will meet fellow members of the 'Axis of Evil' from Iran, Gaza, Lebanon, and Yemen." Earlier that day, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said at a cabinet meeting, "The military and the domestic intelligence agency Shin Bet have attacked Hamas spokesperson Abu Obeida," and added, "Hamas will realize that there is no one left to comment on this matter."

The Israeli military conducted a targeted airstrike the previous day, aiming at Obeida in the Gaza City area of northern Gaza. On the same day, Saudi Arabian media outlet Al Arabiya, citing Palestinian sources, reported that Abu Obeida, the spokesperson for Hamas's military wing, the Al-Qassam Brigades, had died. According to the report, a bomb struck an apartment in Gaza City, killing Obeida and all other residents of the building. The Times of Israel, quoting local media, reported that the total number of fatalities reached 11, including children.

It has been reported that Israel also carried out targeted attacks against Obeida in 2008, 2012, and 2014. If Obeida was indeed killed in this latest airstrike, it marks the first successful assassination by the Israeli military after four attempts.

Shortly after the outbreak of war on October 7, 2023, when Hamas launched a surprise attack on southern Israel, Israel revealed that the man known as Abu Obeida was actually "Hudaifa Samir Abdullah al-Kahlut" and released a photo of his uncovered face. Since the early 2000s, Obeida had served as the spokesperson for the Al-Qassam Brigades, regularly issuing video speeches and written statements through platforms like Telegram while wearing a mask. He became a central figure in Hamas's psychological warfare after announcing in 2006 that Hamas had kidnapped Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit. The last statement issued by Obeida on August 29 warned that hostages held in Gaza City would be put at risk if the Israeli military launched an offensive to take control of the area.