Israel announced that it had killed Abu Obeida (40), who had been acting as a Spokesperson for the Palestinian armed group Hamas.
According to the Times of Israel (TOI) on the 31st (local time), Israel's Defense Minister Yoav Gallant wrote on X, "Hamas terror Spokesperson Abu Obeida has been eliminated in Gaza," adding, "He will fall to the depths of hell and meet members of the 'axis of evil' from Iran, Gaza, Lebanon, and Yemen."
The Israel Defense Forces targeted Obeida in an airstrike in the northern Gaza City area on the 30th. Saudi media Al Arabiya reported on the 31st, citing Palestinian sources, that "Abu Obeida, the Spokesperson for Hamas's military wing, Al Qassam Brigades, has died."
The bombing hit an apartment in Gaza City, resulting in the death of all residents, including Obeida. The daily Times of Israel reported, citing local media, that the total number of fatalities reached 11, including children.
Israel is reported to have targeted Obeida in strikes in 2008, 2012, and 2014. If Obeida has died in this airstrike, it marks the fourth successful assassination attempt by the Israel Defense Forces.
Having served as the Spokesperson for the Al Qassam Brigades since the early 2000s, Obeida has consistently delivered video speeches and written statements via social media such as Telegram while wearing a mask. The Israel Defense Forces stated, "Obeida has overseen Hamas's military organization's propaganda apparatus for the past decade," describing him as a high-ranking figure responsible for overseeing brigade and battalion-level spokesperson activities and establishing propaganda policies.
There has not yet been a statement from Hamas. Obeida's last known activity was a statement made on the evening of the 29th, the day before the airstrike.