Israel has announced the killing of Abu Obeida, the prominent spokesperson for Hamas’s military wing, in an airstrike on Gaza City.
In a post on X, Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant praised the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) and security agency Shin Bet for what he called a “flawless execution.”
Hamas has not confirmed Obeida’s death. The group instead said dozens of civilians were killed and wounded in the Israeli bombardment of a residential building in the al-Rimal neighbourhood.
Local journalists reported that at least seven people died and 20 were injured in the densely populated area, with children among the victims.
Saturday’s strike comes amid continued aerial assaults on Gaza City, ahead of an anticipated Israeli ground offensive. Defence Minister Gallant warned that more Hamas operatives would be targeted as Israel intensifies its military campaign in line with a newly approved plan to take control of the city.
In a joint statement, the IDF and Shin Bet said the strike on Obeida was made possible through intelligence gathered by both Shin Bet and the IDF's Intelligence Directorate. They said Obeida had been hiding in a six-storey apartment building where five missiles struck the second and third floors from two different directions.
The apartment, previously used as a dental clinic, was reportedly filled with large sums of cash. Witnesses claimed to have seen hundreds of thousands of dollars flying through the air after the strike, some of which were taken by locals but later retrieved by Hamas.
Obeida, thought to be around 40 years old, was among the last senior figures of Hamas’s military leadership who remained since the group’s 7 October 2023 attack on southern Israel. He had long served as the face of the al-Qassam Brigades, frequently delivering fiery addresses against Israel, always wearing a Palestinian scarf to conceal his face. His speeches earned him wide admiration among Hamas supporters across the region.
In what is believed to be his final address on Friday, Obeida warned Israel that its planned invasion of Gaza City would endanger the remaining Israeli hostages, suggesting their fate would mirror that of Hamas fighters.
Footage verified by the BBC shows residents fleeing the scene in panic, with blood-stained bodies on the ground and injured children being carried to safety. Mohammed Emad, who owns a barbershop 100 metres from the strike site, described the horror: “The blasts were terrifying — I couldn’t move for more than an hour. I saw injured children with blood on their faces, people running in every direction as if the world had ended.”
The IDF claimed it used precision weapons and multiple intelligence sources to minimise civilian casualties. However, the BBC has not independently verified the claims made by either Israel or Hamas.
In early August, Israel's security cabinet approved a plan to seize Gaza City in a renewed military push aimed at ending the 22-month war. The UN has warned of “catastrophic consequences” for civilians and hostages if a full takeover is pursued. The UK’s ambassador to Israel called the plan “a huge mistake.”
Despite international criticism, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has pledged to eliminate Hamas and continue the war.
Israel's military campaign began after Hamas’s 7 October assault, which killed around 1,200 people and led to 251 hostages being taken. Since then, over 63,000 Palestinians have been killed, according to the Hamas-run Gaza health ministry.
Although the ground offensive has yet to begin, Israeli air raids on Gaza City — home to nearly a million people — continue. One resident said Saturday’s strike hit a building that had already been targeted earlier in the conflict.
Israel has stated its intention to evacuate Gaza City’s population to the south before deploying troops. However, most residents have already been displaced multiple times.
An estimated 90% of Gaza City's homes have been damaged or destroyed. The city’s healthcare, water, and sanitation infrastructure have collapsed. Last week, famine conditions were officially declared in Gaza City and the surrounding areas for the first time.
Source: BBC
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