Hamas’s military wing, the Izz al-Din al-Qassam Brigades, on Monday introduced a new spokesperson and officially confirmed the death of its long-time spokesman in an Israeli air strike on Gaza City in August.
In a pre-recorded video message aired on Arab media, the new spokesman revealed for the first time that the previous spokesman, widely known by the nom de guerre Abu Obeida, was actually Huthaifa Samir al-Kahlout. Hamas had never publicly confirmed his real identity during his lifetime.Click Here To Follow Our WhatsApp Channel
The new spokesperson, whose real identity has not been disclosed, said he will continue using the same nom de guerre, Abu Obeida.
A Figure Hidden for Two Decades
Kahlout served as the spokesman of the al-Qassam Brigades for more than 20 years, always appearing with his face covered by a red keffiyeh. Because of this, he became known across the Arab world as “the masked one”.
This announcement marked the first official confirmation of his identity, which had remained secret despite his high-profile role as head of the group’s military media unit.
“We mourn the great leader Huthaifa Samir al-Kahlout, Abu Ibrahim, who spent two decades frustrating the enemy and strengthening the morale of believers,” the new Abu Obeida said. He described him as “the thunderous voice of the nation” who stood with his people in their darkest times.
Other Senior Leaders Also Confirmed Dead
The new spokesperson also confirmed that Mohammed al-Sinwar, a former commander of the al-Qassam Brigades, was killed by Israeli forces in May. He further said that other senior military leaders, including Raed Saad, were also killed earlier this month.
Rise to Prominence
Abu Obeida first appeared publicly in 2004 during an Israeli ground operation in northern Gaza. From that point on, he became the sole military spokesperson of the al-Qassam Brigades, delivering battlefield updates and statements through Hamas’s official media channels.
His profile grew further in 2006 when he announced the capture of Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit, and again in 2014 when he declared the capture of another soldier, Shaul Aron, during the Gaza war.
He was also known for commenting on political and humanitarian issues. In October 2024, one of his speeches gained wide attention when he criticised Arab leaders for failing to send humanitarian aid to Gaza. A phrase he used in that speech later became a popular slogan across the Arab world and on social media.
Background and Legacy
Very little was known about Kahlout’s personal life. In a rare interview in 2005, he said his family had been displaced during the 1948 Nakba and resettled in a refugee camp in Gaza. He suggested at the time that he was in his early twenties, indicating he was likely born in the mid-1980s.
Sources within Hamas said that only a small number of people knew his true identity before his death. Israel reportedly attempted to assassinate him several times over the past two decades.
In April 2024, the United States Treasury Department imposed sanctions on him, accusing him of leading Hamas’s “information warfare” and cyber influence operations.
With the confirmation of his death, Abu Obeida remains one of the most recognisable and influential figures associated with Hamas’s military wing, whose image and voice left a lasting mark across the Arabic-speaking world.
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