The Israeli Defence Minister, Israel Katz, has confirmed that Abu Obeida, the spokesperson for Hamas‘s armed wing, was killed in a targeted air strike in Gaza City on Saturday.
Katz congratulated the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) and Israel’s security agency, Shin Bet, for the “flawless execution” of the operation. The IDF and Shin Bet said in a joint statement that the operation was made possible due to prior intelligence gathered by Shin Bet and the IDF’s Intelligence Directorate, which identified Obeida’s hiding place.
According to the IDF, Obeida was among the few remaining senior members of Hamas’s military wing from before the deadly October 7, 2023, attack on southern Israel. The attack resulted in the deaths of around 1,200 people and the kidnapping of 251 captives, according to Israeli estimates.
Obeida served as the public face of the Hamas terrorist organization and disseminated Hamas’ propaganda. He was known for delivering long diatribes against Israel on behalf of Hamas’s military wing, the al-Qassam Brigades.
The Israeli military operation targeted a six-storey apartment building in the al-Rimal neighbourhood, where Obeida was reportedly staying. Five missiles struck the second and third floors of the building simultaneously from two different directions.
Witnesses reported seeing hundreds of thousands of dollars flying in the air after the strikes, with large sums stolen by locals but later recovered by Hamas.
Local journalists reported that at least seven people were killed and 20 injured in the strikes on the densely populated al-Rimal neighbourhood, with children among the casualties.
Mohammed Emad, who runs a barbershop near the site, described the blasts as terrifying. “I couldn’t move for more than an hour,” he said. “I saw injured children with blood covering their faces, and people were running in every direction as if the world had ended.”
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.
The killing of Abu Obeida is part of Israel’s ongoing efforts to destabilize Hamas’ military leadership following the October 7, 2023, massacre.
Israel’s Defence Minister warned that many more of Obeida’s “criminal partners” would be targeted with the intensification of the campaign in Gaza.
This development comes as 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.
However, the UN has repeatedly warned that a complete military takeover would risk “catastrophic consequences” for Palestinian civilians and Israeli hostages held in Gaza.
The UK’s ambassador to Israel has said it would be “a huge mistake”. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has vowed to defeat Hamas and defied international criticism of his plans to expand the war.
The humanitarian situation in Gaza City is dire, with more than 90% of the city’s homes estimated to be 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. The Israeli military has said it plans to evacuate Gaza City’s entire population and move it to shelters in the south before troops move in.
As the conflict continues, the fate of remaining Israeli hostages held in Gaza remains uncertain.
In a recent speech, Obeida warned Israel against its planned invasion of Gaza City, saying the fate of remaining Israeli hostages would be the same as that of Hamas fighters.
The killing of Abu Obeida is likely to escalate tensions in the region, with the Houthis vowing to intensify attacks on Israel after the group’s prime minister was killed in an Israeli strike.