Abu Obeida, the spokesperson for Hamas’s armed wing, has reportedly been killed in an air strike in Gaza City, according to Israeli authorities.
Israel’s Defence Minister Israel Katz acknowledged the operation in a post on X, congratulating the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) and Israel’s security agency, Shin Bet, for its “flawless execution.”
While Minister Katz did not provide specifics regarding the timing or location of the operation, the IDF had earlier stated that its aircraft targeted “a key terrorist” in the al-Rimal neighborhood on Saturday, prompting speculation in Israeli media that Obeida was the intended target.
Hamas has yet to confirm his death. Earlier, the Palestinian armed group reported that numerous civilians were killed and injured in Israeli strikes on a residential building within the same district.
On Sunday, Minister Katz warned that further “criminal partners” of Obeida would be targeted with “the intensification of the campaign in Gaza,” alluding to a recently approved Israeli plan to gain control of Gaza City.
In a separate statement, the IDF and Shin Bet provided additional details concerning Saturday’s strikes, which targeted the Hamas spokesperson.
The agencies stated in a joint release that the operation was “made possible due to prior intelligence gathered by [Shin Bet] and the IDF’s Intelligence Directorate,” which had successfully identified his location.
Obeida was considered one of the few remaining senior members of Hamas’s military wing who predated its deadly October 7, 2023, attack on southern Israel.
Reports indicate that five missiles struck the second and third floors of a six-story apartment building in the al-Rimal neighborhood simultaneously, originating from two distinct directions.
The targeted apartment was reportedly used as a dentist’s office. Witnesses reported seeing significant amounts of money circulating in the air after the strikes, some of which was initially taken by locals but subsequently recovered by Hamas.
The joint statement characterized Obeida as “the public face of the Hamas terrorist organization” who “disseminated Hamas’ propaganda.”
Over the past several years, Obeida, believed to be approximately 40 years old, delivered numerous addresses against Israel on behalf of Hamas’s military wing, the al-Qassam Brigades.
In his public appearances, he was always masked with a Palestinian scarf and became a figure of admiration among Hamas supporters throughout the Middle East.
In what may have been his final public statement on Friday, Obeida asserted that the fate of remaining Israeli hostages would mirror that of Hamas fighters, and he cautioned Israel against its planned incursion into Gaza City.
Local journalists have reported that the strikes on the densely populated al-Rimal neighborhood resulted in at least seven fatalities and 20 injuries, with children among the casualties.
Mohammed Emad, who operates a barbershop approximately 100 meters (328 feet) from the site, described the events to the BBC, stating, “The blasts were terrifying – I couldn’t move for more than an hour.”
He further stated, “I can’t believe I’m still alive. I saw injured children with blood covering their faces, and people were running in every direction as if the world had ended.”
Verified footage by the BBC of the aftermath of the strikes depicts residents fleeing in panic into the streets.
The footage showed blood visible on a body covered by fabric, and a man carrying an injured child away from the scene.
The IDF stated 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.”
BBC News has been unable to independently verify the claims made by either the IDF or Hamas.
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.
The UN has consistently cautioned that a complete military takeover would carry the risk of “catastrophic consequences” for Palestinian civilians and Israeli hostages held in Gaza. The UK’s ambassador to Israel has characterized it as “a huge mistake.”
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has pledged to defeat Hamas and has disregarded international criticism concerning his plans to expand the war.
Israel’s military operation in Gaza was initiated in response to the Hamas-led October 7 attack, in which approximately 1,200 individuals were killed, and 251 others were taken hostage. Since then, according to the Hamas-run Gaza health ministry, over 63,000 Palestinians have been killed.
While the operation to capture Gaza City has yet to commence in full, Israeli attacks on the city, home to nearly a million people, have been ongoing.
A local resident reported to the BBC that the same apartment building targeted on Saturday had previously been struck in an earlier Israeli air raid months ago.
The Israeli military has stated its intention to evacuate the entire population of Gaza City and relocate them to shelters in the south before troops move in. The majority of Gaza’s population has already experienced multiple displacements during the conflict.
It is estimated that more than 90% of the city’s homes are damaged or destroyed, and the healthcare, water, sanitation, and hygiene systems have collapsed.
Last week, conditions of famine were confirmed in Gaza City and its surrounding areas for the first time.
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