Israel claims killing  of Hamas military spokesman Abu Obeida  in Gaza

Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz announced on Sunday that the army had assassinated Abu Obeida, the spokesman for Hamas’ military wing.

Katz’s comments on the attack, which took place on Saturday, followed an earlier announcement by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on the attack on the Qassam Brigades spokesman.

“Hamas terror spokesperson Abu Obeida was eliminated in Gaza and sent to meet all the liquidated members of the axis of evil from Iran, Gaza, Lebanon, and Yemen at the bottom of hell,” Katz said on X.

“Congratulations to the IDF and Shin Bet for the flawless execution,” he added, referring to the Israeli strike that targeted Abu Obeida and maimed several children, according to Arabic reports.

Earlier on Sunday, Netanyahu had said that there was no confirmation of Abu Obeida’s killing, saying that the coming “hours and days will certainly answer”.

Netanyahu also spoke on the recovery of two bodies of Israeli captives, saying it was a “great achievement” reports New Arab agency.

Abu Obeida, who delivered the Qassam Brigades’ operational updates and statements, had often reiterated Hamas’ position that the captives would not be returned except through an agreement and exchange deal.

His videos, in which he appears with his signature red and white keffiyeh wrapped as a face mask, have gained huge traction across the Arab world.

Israel’s Kan public broadcaster reported on Saturday that an attempt was made to “assassinate Abu Obedia in a raid on Gaza City”.

Hamas is yet to comment on the matter, however has in the past confirmed the killings of its officials in Gaza months after their deaths.

On Saturday, Hamas confirmed the killing of its Gaza military chief Mohammed Sinwar, who was assassinated in 2024.

His confirmed death would leave his close associate Izz al-Din Haddad, who currently oversees operations in northern Gaza, in charge of Hamas’ armed wing across the whole of the enclave.

About The Author

Dele Fashomi

Dele Fashomi, seasoned journalist and communication teacher, is a holder of Master of Arts degree in Communication and Language Arts from the University of Ibadan in 1992/93.

Earlier, he had bagged a Bachelor degree from the same university in 1984, after which he proceeded to the Nigerian Institute of Journalism, Lagos, in 1990, for a postgraduate diploma in Journalism.

He had done many courses in communication, including the EU-BBC Editing Course in 2002.

Mr. Fashomi combines effectively the practice, research and teaching of communication. And to date, he has published two academic works in communication: Issues in Communication Technology and Policy (2010) and Economic and Social Issues in Advertising and PR (2013).

He had his first break in the Nigerian media in Concord Newspapers in 1990 and today, he has over two and half decades experience earned in several newspapers.

He has been part of many start-ups, such as The Republic (1987), The Comet (1999), The Anchor 2001 – 2002; Sun Newspapers (2003); Westerner newsmagazine (2005 – 2010) as Editor; National Life (2011) as Sunday Editor, and Newswatch Newspapers (2012- 2016) as Daily Editor.

Dele Fashomi is now the Publisher/Editor-in-Chief of Newstide247.com newspaper online, which he started in July 2015. He is also into biography writing, with many books in his trail, some of which he wrote alone and one he co- authored with his mentor, Mr Dare Babarinsa, entitled:  Olabiyi Durojaiye – DARE TO BE DiFFERENT. He also guided and collaborated with Pa Olatunji Odusanya in writing his autobiography – AGAINST ALL ODDS. There are many other books in the works under his pen.

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