Hamas acknowledged on Monday that several senior leaders of its military wing, including former spokesperson Abu Obeida, were killed by the Israel Defense Forces. The admission came from the wing’s new spokesperson, who confirmed that the previous Abu Obeida—whose real name was Huthayfa Samir Abdallah al-Kahlout—was killed in an IDF strike on Gaza City on August 31. Although the IDF and Shin Bet had announced his death at the time, Hamas had not verified the reports until now.
❤️🇵🇸 Hamas has uploaded an unmasked photo of the martyr Abu Obeida for the first time pic.twitter.com/uEdEVScc7J
— Jackson Hinkle 🇺🇸 (@jacksonhinklle) December 29, 2025
The group also confirmed the deaths of Mohammad Sinwar, Hakham Muhammad Issa al-Issa, Mohammed Shabana, and Ra’ad Sa’ad. The new spokesperson said he has assumed the pseudonym “Abu Obeida,” traditionally used by the Izzadin al-Qassam Brigades’ spokesperson.
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The announcement coincides with reports of upcoming Hamas leadership elections, with Khalil al-Hayya and Khaled Mashaal believed to be leading contenders. In his statement, the new Abu Obeida described the October 7 attack as a response to what he called longstanding oppression and aggression, insisting that Hamas would not disarm and would continue what he labeled resistance as long as Israel’s “occupation” persists. He also expressed gratitude to regional allies and international supporters.
Kahlout had long served as the public face of Hamas’s armed wing, typically appearing masked and in military attire. Hamas’s confirmation marks the first time the group has publicly revealed his face following his death.
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Mohammad Sinwar, brother of Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar, was killed in May 2025 in an Israeli airstrike near Khan Yunis, an attack that also eliminated senior commander Mohammed Shabana. Ra’ad Sa’ad, regarded as one of the top figures in the Brigades, was killed earlier this month after reportedly emerging from Gaza’s tunnel network. Issa, another senior commander, was killed in June during Israeli strikes in Gaza City’s Sabra neighborhood.
