Hamas Confirms Death of Abu Obeida and Others
Group names new spokesman as it publicly acknowledges the killing of key leaders amid ongoing Gaza conflict.
- Publish date: since 20 hour Reading time: 1 min read
Hamas’s armed wing has officially confirmed the deaths of Abu Obeida, its long-time military spokesperson, and several other senior commanders, marking one of the most significant public acknowledgements of leadership losses by the group in 2025.
In a televised statement released on Monday, the Ezzedine al-Qassam Brigades, Hamas’s military arm, named Abu Obeida’s successor and confirmed that he has taken on the same nom de guerre previously used by his predecessor.
Abu Obeida — whose real name was later revealed by Hamas as Hudhayfah Samir Abdullah al-Kahlout — had served as the face of the armed wing’s communications, regularly issuing battlefield and tactical updates during Israel's war on Gaza. He had been widely recognised across the region as the group’s principal military spokesman for nearly two decades before being killed in Gaza earlier this year, according to the Israeli military.
The group also confirmed the deaths of Mohammed Sinwar, its former leader in the Gaza Strip and brother of ex-Hamas chief Yahya Sinwar, whom Israel said it had killed in May. Additional commanders acknowledged as killed include Mohammed Shabanah, head of the Rafah Brigade, Hakam al-Issa, and Raed Saad, experienced field leaders whose removals represent a substantial blow to Hamas’s military infrastructure.
The confirmation follows earlier announcements by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) regarding the deaths of these figures in targeted operations throughout the conflict, though Hamas had not publicly acknowledged those reports until now.
In its message, the new Qassam spokesman paid tribute to the fallen leaders and reiterated the group’s resolve, underscoring a broader narrative of continued resistance despite strategic setbacks.