Hamas armed wing confirms death of⁠ Abu Obeida, other leaders

The Palestinian group Hamas has confirmed that its armed wing spokesperson, known as ⁠Abu Obeida, ​and Mohammed Sinwar, the group’s former leader in Gaza, were killed in Israel’s genocidal war earlier this year.

In a video statement released on Monday, the al-Qassam Brigades, Hamas’s military wing, confirmed the death of its long-time spokesman and announced the appointment of a new masked spokesperson.

This marks the first official confirmation of the death of the figure who became the face of the group’s media strategy during the devastating two-year war on Gaza.

In the statement, the new spokesman revealed the true identity of Abu Obeida for the first time, saying his real name was Hudhayfah Samir Abdullah al-Kahlout.

“We announce with pride the martyrdom of the great leader … Abu Obeida,” he said. “We have inherited his title.”

The Israeli military said in May that it had killed Mohammed Sinwar, the younger brother of former Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar. Three months later, it said Abu Obeida had also been killed.