Egyptian journalist and parliament member Mustafa Bakri mourned Abu Obaida, the spokesperson for the Al-Qassam Brigades, the military wing of Hamas, following the official announcement of his assassination by Israeli Defense Minister Yisrael Katz.

Mustafa Bakri wrote on his official X account: “To eternal paradise, Abu Obaida.. You lived a hero and departed a hero. Your pure blood will ignite the ground beneath the feet of the criminal Zionists. Your name will remain immortal in our minds, and your words will stay alive in our memory. Glory to the martyrs, and long live Arab Palestine.”

Israeli army spokesperson Avichay Adraee announced on Saturday the targeting of a prominent figure in Hamas in Gaza, stating on X that the army attacked a “central element” in Hamas in the Gaza City area in the northern sector.

Israeli media reported that the target of the Gaza strike was the spokesperson for the Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades, the military wing of Hamas, “Abu Obaida,” with estimates of a 95% success rate for the assassination operation.

Palestinian Abu Obaida, the official spokesperson for the Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades, has been a prominent symbol of Palestinian resistance since his first appearance in 2006 when he announced the capture of Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit in the “Dispersed Illusion” operation.

Abu Obaida, who always appears masked with a red keffiyeh, is known for his eloquence and powerful speeches that combine defiance and psychological mobilization, making him an influential media figure in the psychological warfare against Israel.

During the Israeli war on Gaza that began on October 7, 2023, Abu Obaida emerged as the voice of resistance, delivering about 27 televised speeches or audio and video messages, sending strong messages to Palestinians and the Arab audience, while causing concern in Israeli circles.