Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz announced that Abu Obeida, the spokesperson for Hamas’s armed wing, was killed by Israeli military forces in Gaza. In a post shared on X, Katz stated, “Hamas terror spokesperson Abu Obeida was eliminated in Gaza.” This confirmation follows a series of air and ground strikes targeting the suburbs of Gaza City, where Israeli forces have intensified their operations. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reiterated that Israeli forces have been actively pursuing Hamas leaders.
As the conflict escalates, two Hamas officials contacted by Reuters declined to comment on Obeida’s death. This incident comes as Netanyahu’s security cabinet prepares to convene to discuss strategies for taking control of Gaza City, which has seen significant destruction in recent weeks. The Israeli military’s campaign has reportedly resulted in extensive fatalities among Hamas leadership, with military chief Eyal Zamir asserting that a significant portion of Hamas’s leadership is now located abroad.
Obeida, also known as Hudaifa al-Kahlut, was a prominent figure within Hamas, recognized for delivering the group’s messages through video statements while often concealing his face with a red keffiyeh. His last warning on Friday emphasized that an offensive on Gaza City would jeopardize the lives of hostages held by Hamas, a sentiment echoed by local residents following ongoing bombardments.
Residents from Sheikh Radwan, a major neighborhood in Gaza City, reported continuous tank shelling and airstrikes over the weekend, forcing many families to flee to safer areas. The military’s operations around Gaza City have escalated significantly, with reports indicating that Israeli forces have ended temporary pauses that previously allowed humanitarian aid deliveries. The area has been designated a “dangerous combat zone,” complicating efforts to provide relief to the civilian population.
Local health authorities reported that over the course of a single day, at least 30 individuals were killed due to Israeli airstrikes and gunfire, including 13 people who were near an aid distribution site in central Gaza. The Israeli military stated it was unaware of casualties occurring near these humanitarian operations.
On the evening of October 29, 2023, Netanyahu’s security cabinet is expected to address the next phases of the offensive, which he has referred to as Hamas’s last stronghold. While a full-scale assault is anticipated in the coming weeks, the Israeli government has signaled its intent to prioritize the evacuation of civilians from the city before deploying additional ground forces.
The ongoing conflict has led to a severe humanitarian crisis in Gaza. In a statement earlier this month, Mirjana Spoljaric, head of the Red Cross, warned that any mass evacuation from Gaza City could lead to a population displacement that other areas within the enclave cannot accommodate. Currently, approximately half of Gaza’s more than 2 million residents are concentrated in Gaza City. Reports suggest that several thousand individuals have already moved to central and southern regions in search of safety, further straining the area’s resources.
The conflict, which began with a Hamas-led attack on southern Israel on October 7, 2023, resulted in around 1,200 deaths, predominantly among civilians, and saw 251 individuals taken hostage. Current estimates indicate that 20 of the remaining 48 hostages may still be alive.
The military operations in Gaza have led to over 63,000 reported fatalities, mainly civilians, according to health officials in the region. The humanitarian situation has reached a critical point, with conditions deteriorating rapidly and widespread shortages of food, shelter, and medical supplies. In response to claims of famine conditions, the Israeli government has dismissed reports of starvation as a “Hamas-orchestrated starvation campaign,” with Netanyahu asserting, “There is no policy of starvation in Gaza, and there is no starvation in Gaza.”
As the situation continues to evolve, protests within Israel advocating for an end to the conflict and the release of hostages have intensified, reflecting the growing public sentiment regarding the ongoing violence and its ramifications.
