Hamas Spokesman Abu Obeida Reportedly Killed in Israeli Airstrike in Gaza

Sat Sep 13 2025 14:13:01 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

Israeli forces claim to have killed Hamas spokesperson Abu Obeida in an airstrike that also resulted in civilian casualties, drawing condemnation and further escalating tensions in Gaza.

Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz announced that Abu Obeida, the spokesperson for Hamas's armed wing, has been killed in a recent airstrike in Gaza City. While the Israeli military took credit for the operation, Hamas has not officially confirmed Obeida's death. The strikes reportedly resulted in civilian casualties, with local reports indicating several injuries and fatalities among non-combatants. As the conflict continues, Israel plans to intensify its military campaign in Gaza, signaling a protracted conflict ahead.

Abu Obeida, the spokesman for Hamas's armed wing, has been killed in an aerial attack 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.

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

Local journalists reported that at least seven people had been killed and 20 injured in the strikes on the densely populated al-Rimal neighbourhood of Gaza City, with children among the casualties.

Saturday's attack comes amid ongoing aerial strikes on Gaza City ahead of a planned Israeli offensive.

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.

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.

In what may have been his final speech on Friday, Obeida warned Israel against its planned invasion of Gaza City.