Israel confirms death of Hamas spokesman Abu Obeida in Gaza airstrike

Israel confirmed on Sunday that Hudayfa Samir Abdallah al-Kahlout, better known as Abu Obeida, the longtime masked spokesman for Hamas’s military wing, was killed in an airstrike in Gaza City. According to the Times of Israel , the strike, carried out on Saturday in the northern Gaza Strip, was initially described by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) and Shin Bet as targeting a senior Hamas operative. However, reports quickly identified the figure as Abu Obeida, and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed his death at the weekly cabinet meeting on Sunday. Defense Minister Israel Katz haile

Israel confirmed on Sunday that Hudayfa Samir Abdallah al-Kahlout, better known as Abu Obeida, the longtime masked spokesman for Hamas’s military wing, was killed in an airstrike in Gaza City. According to the

Times of Israel

, the strike, carried out on Saturday in the northern Gaza Strip, was initially described by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) and Shin Bet as targeting a senior Hamas operative. However, reports quickly identified the figure as Abu Obeida, and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed his death at the weekly cabinet meeting on Sunday. Defense Minister Israel Katz hailed the operation, declaring on X that Abu Obeida “was sent to meet all 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 intensifies, “he will meet many more of his partners in crime there — Hamas murderers and rapists.” The IDF later issued a statement confirming that the operation was a joint effort with Shin Bet and Military Intelligence, enabled by prior intelligence pointing to Abu Obeida’s location. The military described him as “the face of the terrorist organization,” noting that he had led Hamas’s propaganda apparatus for over a decade. According to the IDF, Abu Obeida oversaw the distribution of Hamas propaganda, including videos of the October 7 massacre, hostage footage, and incitement campaigns aimed at stirring regional violence. Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir, the IDF Chief of Staff, said the strike was part of “a series of significant IDF operations in Yemen, Lebanon, Syria, and other arenas.” He added that Israel would continue targeting Hamas leadership abroad. “The bulk of Hamas’s ruling leadership that remains is abroad, and we will reach them too,” Zamir said. Netanyahu, addressing the cabinet, initially noted uncertainty about the outcome of the strike, joking that “there’s no one to speak about this from Hamas’s side.” By Sunday, however, Israeli officials confirmed Abu Obeida had been eliminated.

Times of Isreal reorts that Netanyahu led a cabinet meeting in an undisclosed location on Sunday, 31st August, 2025. (screenshot/GPO via Times of Israel)

Abu Obeida had been the voice of Hamas’s Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades since 2004, rising to prominence in 2006 when he announced the kidnapping of Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit. Always appearing masked, he became the militant group’s most recognizable spokesman and the face of its psychological warfare campaigns. His final statement, delivered Friday, warned Israel that any attempt to seize Gaza City would endanger the lives of hostages. The strike on Abu Obeida comes amid a broader escalation by Israel, which last week killed Yemeni Houthi Prime Minister Ahmed Ghaleb al-Rahwi in Sanaa. Israeli officials said both operations underscored a new phase of its strategy against members of the so-called “axis of resistance.” Netanyahu said the IDF was already implementing a recent cabinet decision to escalate its campaign in Gaza, including moving forward with an offensive on Gaza City. He also vowed further action against Houthi leaders in Yemen, stressing, “This is only the beginning of the campaign targeting senior officials in Sanaa. We will reach all of them.” The prime minister framed Israel’s actions as part of a wider regional effort since the 12-day war with Iran in June. “Ever since then, Israel has been striking the remaining parts of the axis systematically — day after day, front after front,” Netanyahu said. The assassination of Abu Obeida marks a symbolic blow to Hamas, eliminating the man who for nearly two decades served as its most public voice and chief propagandist.