Hamas has officially confirmed the death of Abu Obeida, the long-serving military spokesman for its armed wing, the Izz al-Din al-Qassam Brigades, who was killed during Israel’s military operations in Gaza in August. The announcement on December 29, 2025, revealed his true identity as Huthaifa Samir al-Kahlout, ending decades of speculation about the masked figure who became a symbol of Palestinian resistance.
For nearly twenty years, Abu Obeida served as the primary military communicator for Hamas, with his prominence skyrocketing following the October 2023 attack on Israel and the subsequent war in Gaza. Known for his fiery speeches delivered while concealed behind a traditional red keffiyeh, he provided battlefield updates, announced military achievements, and taunted Israeli forces, who made multiple attempts to eliminate him.
Abu Obeida first emerged in 2004 during an Israeli ground offensive in northern Gaza, becoming the first and only person to hold the military spokesman role within Hamas’s media office. His most significant announcements included the capture of Israeli soldiers Gilad Shalit in 2006 and Shaul Aron in 2014, events that significantly heightened his profile.
Following the October 2023 attack, Abu Obeida’s speeches gained unprecedented attention across the Arab world. His critiques of Arab leaders’ inability to provide humanitarian aid to Gaza, particularly his use of the phrase “God forbid” that became a regional slogan, resonated widely. His presentations were typically accompanied by video evidence of Hamas operations, bolstering his credibility.
The masked spokesman achieved hero-like status throughout Arabic-speaking communities, with his speeches frequently interrupting weddings and captivating children. Songs were composed in his honor, and his appearances even attracted the attention of regional leaders including Qatar’s former emir during a football match.
Israeli authorities repeatedly attempted to unmask and eliminate Abu Obeida, bombing his purported home in Jabalia multiple times and releasing what they claimed was his identity and photograph. In April 2024, the United States sanctioned him as Hamas’s “information warfare chief,” alleging he led the cyber influence department of the al-Qassam Brigades.
Abu Obeida’s legacy as a symbol of Palestinian resistance remains intact despite his death, with his masked appearance and eloquent speeches having cemented his place in the narrative of the Israel-Palestine conflict.