Major Blow to Hamas: Spokesman Abu Obeida Reportedly Killed in Gaza Airstrike

Mon Sep 15 2025 18:32:58 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

In a significant operation attributed to the Israel Defense Forces, Hamas spokesman Abu Obeida is reported dead following an airstrike in Gaza City. The IDF claims this marks a crucial step in their intensified efforts against Hamas leadership amid ongoing conflict.

Abu Obeida, the spokesperson for Hamas's armed wing, has been reported dead in an Israeli airstrike in Gaza City, as confirmed by Israeli officials. The operation was described as a 'flawless execution' targeting a senior member of Hamas. While exact details remain sparse, reports indicate civilian casualties from the attacks, fueling ongoing tensions and escalating the humanitarian crisis in the region. This incident comes amidst increased Israeli operations aimed at crippling Hamas following previous hostilities.

Abu Obeida, the spokesman for Hamas's armed wing, has been killed in an air strike in Gaza City, Israel has said.

Israel's Defence Minister Israel Katz congratulated the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) and Israel's security agency, Shin Bet, for the 'flawless execution' in a post on X.

He gave no detail on the time or location of the operation, but the IDF earlier said its aircraft attacked 'a key terrorist' in the al-Rimal neighbourhood on Saturday, prompting reports in Israeli media that Obeida had been the target.

Hamas has not confirmed his death. The Palestinian armed group earlier said dozens of civilians were killed and injured in Israeli strikes on a residential building in the district.

Katz warned on Sunday that many more of Obeida's 'criminal partners' would be targeted with 'the intensification of the campaign in Gaza' - a reference to a recently approved Israeli plan to seize control of Gaza City.

Separately, the IDF and Shin Bet offered more details about Saturday's strikes that targeted the Hamas spokesman.

They said in a joint statement that the operation had been 'made possible due to prior intelligence gathered by [Shin Bet] and the IDF's Intelligence Directorate' that had identified his hiding place.

Five missiles struck the second and third floor of the six-storey apartment building simultaneously from two different directions.

The targeted flat had been used as a dentist's surgery. Witnesses reported hundreds of thousands of dollars flying into the air because of the strike, with large sums stolen and later recovered by Hamas members.

Obeida was among the few remaining senior members of Hamas's military wing from before its deadly 7 October 2023 attack on southern Israel.

The joint statement said Obeida 'served as the public face of the Hamas terrorist organization' and 'disseminated Hamas' propaganda'.

Over the past few years, Obeida - believed to be about 40 years old - delivered a number of long diatribes against Israel on behalf of Hamas's military wing, the al-Qassam Brigades.

Always masked in a Palestinian scarf, he became an idol to Hamas supporters throughout the Middle East.

On Saturday, Hamas accused the IDF of hitting a residential building in the densely populated al-Rimal neighbourhood of Gaza City.

Local journalists reported that at least seven people had been killed and 20 injured in the strikes, with children among the casualties.

The IDF said that prior to the attack 'many steps were taken to reduce the chance of harming civilians, including the use of precision weapons, aerial observations, and additional intelligence information'.

In early August, Israel's security cabinet approved a plan to seize control of Gaza City in a fresh offensive, with the stated aim of bringing the 22-month-long war to an end.