Abu Obeida, the spokesperson for Hamas’s armed wing, has reportedly been killed in an Israeli airstrike in Gaza City. Israel’s Defence Minister, Israel Katz, praised the efforts of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) and the security agency Shin Bet for the operation, though he did not provide specifics on the timing or location. The IDF stated that it targeted a “key terrorist” in the al-Rimal neighborhood, with Israeli media indicating that Obeida was the intended target.
Hamas has yet to confirm Obeida’s death, but it claimed that the airstrikes caused civilian casualties, including fatalities and injuries among residents of a nearby residential building. Katz emphasized that the campaign in Gaza would intensify, suggesting that more Hamas members would be targeted as part of a broader effort to take control of Gaza City.
The IDF and Shin Bet further explained that the operation was facilitated by intelligence that located Obeida’s hiding spot. Obeida was noted as one of the few senior Hamas figures remaining since the group’s initial attack on Israel on October 7, 2023. The airstrike reportedly struck at least five missiles aimed at a specific apartment used as a dental clinic.
Several local reports indicated civilian casualties from the strike, including children. Witnesses described chaotic scenes in the aftermath of the explosions. The IDF stated it had taken measures to minimize civilian harm, employing precision weapons and additional intelligence.
Israel’s military operation in Gaza began following the October 7 attack, which resulted in substantial Israeli casualties, and since then, casualties in Gaza have reportedly exceeded 63,000, according to local health authorities. An ongoing plan to seize Gaza City has faced warnings from the United Nations and international officials about potential humanitarian crises resulting from a full military takeover.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cm214r5rd29o?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss