Abu Obeida, the spokesman for Hamas's armed wing, has been killed in an aerial attack in Gaza City, Israel has announced.
Israel's Defence Minister Israel Katz congratulated the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) and Israel's security agency, Shin Bet, for the 'flawless execution' in a post on social media.
However, Hamas has not confirmed his death. The Palestinian armed group reported that dozens of civilians were killed and injured in air strikes on a residential building in Gaza.
Local journalists mentioned at least seven fatalities and 20 injuries, including children, in the strikes on the crowded al-Rimal neighborhood of Gaza City.
This attack comes amid a series of ongoing airstrikes in Gaza City as tensions rise. Katz warned that more members of Obeida's 'criminal partners' would be targeted with intensified military action.
Details about the operation reveal it was based on prior intelligence that tracked Obeida's location. The airstrikes reportedly hit the second and third floors of a six-storey apartment building.
Obeida, a key figure in Hamas's military wing, often delivered stern messages against Israel and was widely revered among supporters in the Middle East.
Eyewitness accounts describe a terrifying aftermath, with injured individuals fleeing the scene. Images from the strikes showed significant devastation, and the IDF stated they had taken steps to minimize civilian harm.
This military operation coincides with Israel’s broader strategy to control Gaza City following a deadly attack by Hamas on October 7, 2023, which resulted in the loss of numerous lives.
