The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) have announced the killing of Abu Obaidah, the longtime spokesman and senior figure of Hamas’ military wing, in a targeted operation.
His death marks another major blow to the group’s leadership as the conflict between Israel and Hamas continues to escalate.
In a statement shared on Sunday, August 31, the IDF described Abu Obaidah as “one of the last remaining senior terrorists of Hamas’ military wing from before October 7, 2023.”
The military said he played a central role in directing Hamas’ propaganda and psychological warfare campaigns.
According to the IDF, he was responsible for releasing videos of kidnapped Israeli civilians and soldiers, alongside footage of atrocities committed during the October 7 attacks that triggered the current war.
The October 7 assault on southern Israel by Hamas fighters killed more than 1,000 people and saw over 200 others taken hostage.
Since then, Israel has carried out sustained strikes on Gaza, targeting Hamas’ top commanders and infrastructure.
The IDF said Obaidah’s elimination was part of its wider effort to dismantle Hamas’ leadership and weaken its ability to rally fighters and supporters through media operations.
Abu Obaidah, often seen wearing a red keffiyeh and speaking with his face masked, had become one of Hamas’ most recognizable voices over the years.
His televised speeches and audio messages were used to threaten Israel, justify Hamas’ attacks, and project defiance even during the group’s most vulnerable moments.
Analysts say his death leaves Hamas with a significant gap in its communications strategy, which relied heavily on his ability to stir emotions and shape international narratives.
The IDF’s announcement comes just days after Israeli forces confirmed the killing of Muhammad Abd al-Aziz Abu Zubaida, the leader of the Islamic State terrorist group in Gaza.
It also follows earlier reports of the deaths of key Hamas leaders, including Mohammed Sinwar, Yahya Sinwar, and Ismail Haniyeh, in coordinated operations over the past months.
The elimination of these figures signals Israel’s strategy of targeting the upper echelons of Hamas to disrupt command chains and reduce the group’s ability to organize resistance.
However, it also risks further inflaming tensions in Gaza, where civilian casualties from Israeli strikes have drawn widespread condemnation from humanitarian groups and global leaders.
As the conflict drags on, the death of Abu Obaidah is likely to intensify debates over whether Israel’s military strategy is weakening Hamas or further hardening its resolve.
For now, Israel has signaled that its campaign against Hamas’ remaining leadership will continue until the group is completely dismantled.