Four months after his killing in IDF strike, Hamas finally admits death of spokesman Abu Obeida

On Monday, the Hamas terror organization officially confirmed what Israeli authorities had already announced in August – that Hudhaifa al-Kahlout, the Hamas spokesman known by the nom de guerre Abu Obeida, had been killed in an Israeli strike. 

In the video announcement, a new spokesman was dressed in the same manner as his predecessor and had adopted the same title, "Abu Obeida."

He also officially acknowledged the deaths of Hamas commanders Mohammed Sinwar, Rafah Brigade chief Mohammed Shabaneh, both killed in May, senior Qassam officer Hakham Muhammad al-Issa (killed in June), and Ra’ad Sa’ad, killed earlier this month. 

JUST IN 🔴

Hamas has confirmed the death of Abu Ubaida, the spokesperson for the group’s military wing, marking the first official acknowledgment of his killing.

He was eliminated 4 months ago. pic.twitter.com/a0d0KdBe5l

— Open Source Intel (@Osint613) December 29, 2025

The announcement of the deaths of the Hamas commanders and the installation of a new spokesman comes as Hamas is reportedly set to elect a new political leader for the organization, and amid increasing intransigence by the terror organization regarding the conditions of the Gaza peace plan. 

During the war, Kahlout had become a global icon for terror supporters and one of the most popular figures in Hamas. His image still adorns online memes and posters in cities around the world.

🚨 Mitten in Berlin, heute.

Eine Demonstration, die Hamas-Terroristen verherrlicht.
Ein Plakat mit Abu Obeida, dem Sprachrohr einer Terrororganisation, die am 7. Oktober Männer, Frauen und Kinder ermordet, vergewaltigt und entführt hat.

Wer Terroristen als „Widerstandskämpfer“… pic.twitter.com/5fP5aXN754

— Botschaft Israel (@IsraelinGermany) December 29, 2025

On Monday, Israel's embassy in Germany published a picture on 𝕏 showing a poster in Berlin featuring Abu Obeida with the slogan, "Freedom for Palestine and glory to the martyrs and the resistance."

During his first official statement as spokesman, the new Abu Obeida claimed that “October 7 was a loud explosion in the face of injustice, oppression, siege, and all forms of aggression against our country and our people, which crossed all red lines, ignored all demands and warnings, and flouted all covenants and agreements.” 

The new Abu Obeida also released a statement on official Hamas social media channels praising his predecessor, writing, “‘If a master among us dies, a counterpart arises after him, who will enrich his wealth and succeed him.’ Sleep soundly, Abu Obeida, for your pure soul will remain alive and vibrant with resistance and jihad, and your beautiful image will remain firmly established in the hearts of our people, our nation, and the free people of the world, and your thundering voice for freedom and independence will roam the horizons and take root in reality, marking the end of the occupation and the liberation of the land and the holy sites.” 

The spokesman also vowed that Hamas “will not give up their weapons as long as the occupation remains, and will not surrender even if they fight with their nails.” 

Following the announcement, astute social media users noticed that several high-ranking members of the Qatari royal family posted statements commemorating Abu Obeida to their personal social media accounts. 

Qatar's Education Minister Lolwah Alkhater mourns the death of Hamas’s military spokesman Abu Obaida after it officially confirmed he was killed by Israel: “It is time for the knight to dismount (his horse).” https://t.co/CVNJnByU4j

— Ariel Oseran أريئل أوسيران (@ariel_oseran) December 29, 2025

Ariel Oseran, i24’s Senior Middle East Correspondent, shared a post by Qatar's Education Minister Lolwah Alkhater, mourning Abu Obeida’s death, and referring to him as a “knight.” 

Around the same time, Open Source Intelligence writer and investigator Eitan Fischberger shared two posts by members of the Al-Thani royal family, expressing “admiration” for the killed spokesman. 

Looks like members of Qatar’s royal family are now openly expressing admiration for Hamas’s deceased terrorist spokesperson https://t.co/v6gZgH2ebJ pic.twitter.com/QcFeWdDYRo

— Eitan Fischberger (@EFischberger) December 29, 2025

“Looks like members of Qatar’s royal family are now openly expressing admiration for Hamas’s deceased terrorist spokesperson,” Fischberger wrote to 𝕏.