Abu Obaida, the veteran spokesman for Hamas’s armed wing—the Izzedine al-Qassam Brigades—was killed in an Israeli airstrike targeting an apartment building in the Rimal neighborhood of Gaza City on August 30, 2025, according to multiple sources, including Israel’s Defense Minister and official statements.
Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz commemorated the strike as flawless, while Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called Obaida a propagandist for the militant group, confirming his elimination. The IDF and Shin Bet credited detailed intelligence with enabling the operation.
Abu Obaida, born Hudayfa Samir Abdallah al-Kahlout in 1985, had served as the voice of the al-Qassam Brigades since 2007. He was widely recognized for broadcasting videos of the October 7, 2023 Hamas-led assault and delivering inflammatory speeches while wearing a red keffiyeh mask—his public persona became emblematic across the Arab world.
The airstrike claimed at least 11 lives, including children, and left around 20 people injured in the apartment where Obaida was hiding. The targeted building was an apartment block on Gaza City’s Rimal neighborhood.
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While Hamas has not officially confirmed Obaida’s death, the Israeli announcement remains the most authoritative account. Some local sources have echoed the claim, and the Ministry of Health in Gaza reported civilian casualties in the broader area.
His final message was broadcast on Friday, just before the airstrike, when he declared Gaza City a combat zone and issued a chilling warning that hostages would face the same fate as Hamas fighters amid ongoing hostilities.
Obaida’s death represents a significant blow to Hamas’s psychological and media operations. Israeli officials maintain that the group’s remaining leadership—including those abroad—is now exposed to targeted strikes.
