In This Article

  • Announcement of Abu Obeida's Death
  • Details of the Airstrike and Casualties
  • Israeli Officials' Statements
  • Profile of Abu Obeida
  • Context of Israel's Military Campaign
  • Humanitarian Concerns and International Response

Key Takeaways

  • The Israeli military has announced that it has killed Abu Obeida, a prominent spokesman for Hamas's armed wing, in an airstrike on Gaza City.
  • The attack, which targeted a residential building in the densely populated al-Rimal neighborhood, has resulted in significant casualties, with local journalists reporting at least seven deaths and 20 injuries, including children.
  • The IDF and Shin Bet released a joint statement detailing that the strike was made possible by prior intelligence gathered on Obeida's hiding place.
  • The airstrike is part of Israel's ongoing military campaign in Gaza, which has escalated ahead of a planned offensive to seize control of Gaza City.
  • The conflict has resulted in significant humanitarian concerns, with the UN warning of 'catastrophic consequences' for Palestinian civilians and Israeli hostages.

The Israeli military has announced that it has killed Abu Obeida, a prominent spokesman for Hamas's armed wing, in an airstrike on Gaza City. The attack, which targeted a residential building in the densely populated al-Rimal neighborhood, has resulted in significant casualties, with local journalists reporting at least seven deaths and 20 injuries, including children.

Israel's Defence Minister, Israel Katz, praised the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) and Israel's security agency, Shin Bet, for the "flawless execution" of the operation on X. The IDF and Shin Bet released a joint statement detailing that the strike was made possible by prior intelligence gathered on Obeida's hiding place. They described Obeida as the "public face of the Hamas terrorist organization" who disseminated Hamas propaganda.

Palestinians fleeing as smoke billows over Gaza City following an Israeli air strike

Obeida, believed to be around 40 years old, was known for delivering lengthy diatribes against Israel while masked in a Palestinian scarf. In his last known speech on Friday, he warned Israel of the fate of remaining hostages if it proceeded with its planned invasion of Gaza City.

The airstrike is part of Israel's ongoing military campaign in Gaza, which has escalated ahead of a planned offensive to seize control of Gaza City. The Israeli military has stated that it took measures to minimize civilian casualties, including using precision weapons and gathering additional intelligence. However, the BBC has been unable to independently verify these claims.

The conflict has resulted in significant humanitarian concerns, with the UN warning of "catastrophic consequences" for Palestinian civilians and Israeli hostages. The UK's ambassador to Israel has also expressed concerns, calling a complete military takeover "a huge mistake."

The Israeli military operation in Gaza was initiated in response to the Hamas-led attack on October 7, 2023, which resulted in approximately 1,200 deaths and 251 hostages. Since then, over 63,000 Palestinians have been killed, according to the Hamas-run Gaza health ministry.

Tags:

#Hamas #Israel-Gaza war #Gaza City #Israeli military #Palestinian territories