Israel says it has killed Abu Obeida, the spokesman for Hamas’s armed wing, in an air strike on Gaza City. He was well known as the masked voice of Hamas’s military group, the al-Qassam Brigades.
The strike happened in the al-Rimal neighborhood on Saturday. According to Israel, five missiles hit the second and third floors of a six-storey building that was also used as a dentist’s clinic. Israel’s Defence Minister called the operation “flawless” and said more Hamas leaders would be targeted soon.
Witnesses said the explosions were huge and terrifying. A barber nearby said he saw injured children and people running in panic. Local reports said at least seven people were killed and 20 more were injured, including children. Hamas claimed dozens of civilians were harmed in the attack.
Abu Obeida, believed to be around 40 years old, had been one of the last senior Hamas military figures from before the 7 October 2023 attack on Israel. In that attack, Hamas killed about 1,200 people and took 251 hostages. Since then, Israel’s war in Gaza has killed more than 63,000 Palestinians, according to Gaza’s health ministry.
Israel said the attack was planned using intelligence from Shin Bet and the army. They also claimed they tried to avoid civilian deaths by using precision weapons and surveillance.
Abu Obeida often appeared in videos with his face covered, making speeches against Israel. On Friday, just before his reported death, he warned that Israeli hostages would face the same fate as Hamas fighters if Israel invaded Gaza City.
Israel has announced a plan to seize Gaza City, but the UN and other governments warn it could bring catastrophic consequences for civilians and hostages still held there.
-Peace News Desk