In a significant development, the Palestinian militant group Hamas has for the first time publicly confirmed the deaths of two of its most prominent figures: its longtime spokesman, Abu Obaida, and its Gaza chief, Mohammed Sinwar. The confirmation marks a notable shift for the group, which had previously remained silent on their fates following Israeli military claims.
Official Confirmation of Key Losses
On Monday, Hamas issued statements acknowledging that both figures were killed in the ongoing war in Gaza. The group confirmed that Abu Obaida, the masked face of its military wing's media operations for nearly two decades, was killed following an Israeli strike in August 2025. Simultaneously, it confirmed the death of Mohammed Sinwar, the Gaza-based leader and younger brother of Hamas's overall leader, Yahya Sinwar, earlier in the year.
This public admission comes months after the Israeli military had declared both men dead. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) stated in May that they had killed Mohammed Sinwar and on August 31 that an airstrike had eliminated Abu Obaida. Hamas did not provide specific details regarding the exact circumstances or dates of their deaths.
The Legacy of Abu Obaida: Voice of the Resistance
Abu Obaida, born Huthayfa Samir Abdallah al-Kahlout in Gaza in 1985, was the official spokesperson for the Al-Qassam Brigades from 2007 until his death. He first emerged in 2004 and became a central figure in Hamas's media strategy, especially after the group took control of Gaza in 2007.
His iconic image, delivering statements masked by a red keffiyeh, made him a symbol of Palestinian defiance for many across the Arab world. He was the first to announce the capture of Israeli soldiers Gilad Shalit in 2006 and Shaul Aron in 2014. His prominence soared further after Hamas's October 7, 2023, attack on southern Israel, known as Operation Al-Aqsa Storm.
For Israel, however, he was viewed as a key propaganda figurehead. The IDF described him as integral to Hamas's media apparatus and stated his elimination was based on precise intelligence.
Timing and Regional Implications
The announcement from Hamas arrived just hours before a meeting between US President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Florida on Monday. Washington has been seeking fresh momentum for the US-brokered ceasefire in Gaza, which began on October 10, 2023.
In a clear signal of continuity and defiance, Hamas released a new video on Telegram featuring a masked successor who adopted the nom de guerre "Abu Obaida." The new spokesman explicitly rejected disarmament, stating, "Our people are defending themselves and will not give up their weapons as long as the occupation remains." This stance directly challenges the terms of the ceasefire deal.
The war, which began with the October 7 attack that killed an estimated 1,200 people and took around 250 hostages, has resulted in a devastating toll. According to Gaza's Health Ministry, the overall Palestinian death toll stands at least 71,266, with 414 killed and 1,142 wounded since the ceasefire started. The ministry's counts are considered generally reliable by the international community.
The deaths of Abu Obaida and Mohammed Sinwar represent a substantial blow to Hamas's operational and psychological leadership. While the group moves to appoint successors, their legacy underscores the deep-seated narratives of resistance and propaganda that continue to fuel one of the world's most intractable conflicts.
