(New York, NY) - On August 30, 2025, Israeli forces conducted an airstrike in the Rimal neighborhood of Gaza City, targeting an apartment reportedly sheltering Abu Obeida, who served as the long‑standing spokesperson and central media figure of the Izz ad‑Din al‑Qassam Brigades, the military wing of Hamas. Israeli officials—including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz—publicly confirmed that Abu Obeida was killed in the operation, as part of a broader campaign targeting senior Hamas figures. CEP CEO Ambassador Mark D. Wallace said:

“While invariably masked behind a red keffiyah, Abu Obeida was the face of the terrorist organization and a long‑time architect of its propaganda efforts. He was a prominent and enduring voice of Hamas’s military wing for nearly two decades, notably issuing fulsome praise for the October 7 attacks.

“His public praise for the October 7 attacks and his decades of propaganda leadership tied him inextricably to those horrific events. As spokesman, he disseminated footage of hostages and the events of October 7, 2023—efforts that have continued to play a central role in Hamas’s psychological warfare strategy.

“The reported killing of such a prominent figure marks a significant blow to Hamas’s communications and propaganda infrastructure.”

On October 8, 2023, Abu Obeida issued a statement praising the October 7 attacks, declaring, “our fighters managed to capture a large number of prisoners from the enemy forces and bring them to the Gaza Strip. Our fighters managed to reach the Mavki’im area and engaged in fierce clashes that resulted in the killing and injury of a significant number of enemy forces.”

Hamas has not officially confirmed his death.

To read CEP’s report on Abu Obeida (aka Abu Ubaida), click here.