Israel’s Defense Minister Israel Katz announced on Sunday that Israeli forces killed Abu Obeida, the spokesman for Ezzedine Al-Qassam Brigades, the military wing of Hamas, during a Gaza operation. “Hamas terror spokesperson Abu Obeida was eliminated,” Katz declared on X, praising security forces for “flawless execution.”
Earlier Sunday, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed Abu Obeida was Saturday’s target but withheld death confirmation. “We await results; Hamas’s delayed announcement is notable,” Netanyahu stated during cabinet talks.
Meanwhile, Hamas warned Gaza residents on Saturday against spreading rumors of Abu Obeida’s death, calling it Israeli “psychological warfare.” The group insisted such reports originated from Israel to undermine Palestinian morale and serve occupation intelligence goals.
Humanitarian Crisis Deepens
This announcement follows Hamas’s Sunday confirmation of Gaza leader Mohammed Sinwar’s death—three months after Israel’s initial claim. Tragically, the UN declared famine across Gaza this month, warning 500,000 face catastrophic conditions.
Additionally, starvation deaths climb steadily as Palestinian health officials reported five new fatalities Saturday, including two children, bringing hunger-related deaths to 322 since October 2023. Furthermore, relentless Israeli bombardment killed at least 76 Palestinians and injured dozens more since dawn Sunday.
Israeli forces have reduced much of Gaza to rubble during their offensive, which UN experts term genocide. Health officials confirm at least 63,371 Palestinians killed and 159,835 injured since the war began, primarily women and children, with independent estimates, however, suggesting the true death toll is significantly higher.
Israel now prepares to invade Gaza City while extremist ministers push to annex the territory and displace its 2.4 million Palestinians.
