Khaberni - The Al-Qassam Brigades, the military wing of the Islamic Resistance Movement “Hamas”, has announced the martyrdom of their official spokesman “Abu Ubaidah” during the recent aggression on the Gaza Strip.
Al-Qassam said that Abu Ubaidah, real name “Hudhaifa Suhaib Al-Kahlout”, was martyred in an Israeli raid at the end of August last.
Although the real name and full picture of Abu Ubaidah remained confidential for nearly two decades, his voice alone was sufficient, every time it appeared, to raise concerns in the Israeli occupation both officially and publicly, putting him at the top of the Israeli target list for many years.
Abu Ubaidah, the spokesman for Al-Qassam Brigades, is one of the most mysterious and influential Palestinian figures in the media and military scene, with his name linked to the voice of resistance and its field messages, and major shifts in the confrontation with the Israeli occupation.
With his red keffiyeh, green headband, and sharp voice, his video appearances turned into highly anticipated events for millions inside and outside Palestine, often bearing pivotal messages related to the course of war, prisoners’ affairs, or escalations and de-escalations.
During two years of the Israeli genocidal war on the Gaza Strip, the name “Abu Ubaidah” became one of the most circulated names on social media platforms, not only in Palestine and the Arab and Islamic states but also within the Israeli occupation itself, where his appearance was linked to unprecedented security and media vigil.
Talking about any impending speech was not just a minor media event, but often linked to leaks or expectations about decisive developments, whether related to military operations, prisoner swap deals, or the fate of Israeli soldiers held by the resistance.
Birth and Education
Abu Ubaidah was born in 1984 in Jabaliya refugee camp in the northern Gaza Strip, raised in a conservative Palestinian family within the camp, and is a father to several children. He received his basic education in schools run by the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA), before joining the Islamic University in Gaza, where he later earned a master's degree in interpretation of the Holy Quran.
He joined the ranks of “Hamas” and its military wing early, during the outbreak of the Second Palestinian Intifada in 2000, where he advanced in field and media work within Al-Qassam Brigades.
First Media Appearance
Abu Ubaidah first gained media attention in October 2004, during the “Days of Rage” battle which lasted 17 days, when he held the first press conference for Al-Qassam Brigades, announcing the details of confrontations against the Israeli invasion of northern Gaza.
Since then, he became the most prominent media face of Al-Qassam Brigades, and his name became associated with military announcements and statements related to qualitative operations and the repelling of Israeli incursions.
Media Role within Al-Qassam
After the Israeli withdrawal from the Gaza Strip in 2005, Abu Ubaidah officially assumed the role of media spokesman for Al-Qassam Brigades, later heading the military media department.
He oversaw several sections through this position, including documentation and photography, psychological operations, managing media platforms, and issuing written and visual statements.
Despite his wide presence, he was known for his rare media appearances and strict adherence to security precautions, living under highly secretive conditions to avoid Israeli targeting.
In the Forefront of Wars
Abu Ubaidah's appearances were linked to the consecutive wars on the Gaza Strip, where his appearances usually preceded or followed announcements of significant field achievements by Al-Qassam Brigades.
Some of his prominent media moments:
2006: Announcement of the capture of Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit.
2014: Announcement of the capture of Israeli soldier Shaul Aaron during the battle in the Tuffah neighborhood east of Gaza City.
His appearance in subsequent combat rounds displaying locally-made weapons and remains of destroyed Israeli military vehicles.
Last Appearance and Threatening Messages
His last video appearance was on 18 July last year, where he confirmed that the resistance factions are ready to engage in a “prolonged war of attrition” against the Israeli occupation.
His last post on the “Telegram” platform, where he threatened the occupation with the price of any plan to occupy Gaza City being “paid in their soldiers' blood,” emphasizing that the Israeli prisoners would be in the combat zones, living the same conditions as the resistance fighters.
In 2024, the US Treasury Department imposed sanctions on Abu Ubaidah as the spokesman for Al-Qassam Brigades, considering his activity part of what they described as “supporting terrorism,” a step described by Palestinians as “political persecution” added to Israeli targeting attempts.
Israeli Narratives about His Assassination
Amid the ongoing genocide in Gaza, the Israeli occupation has escalated its claims about assassinating Abu Ubaidah.
The Israeli Minister of War, Yisrael Katz, stated on August 31 last year on the “X” platform that “the spokesman for Hamas terrorism Abu Ubaidah was eliminated in Gaza,” according to his phrase.
The Prime Minister of the Israeli occupation, Benjamin Netanyahu, claimed that the army and the General Security Service (Shabak) carried out a joint operation targeting Abu Ubaidah.
“Channel 12” in Israel alleged that the occupation had “indicators” on his elimination, without final confirmation, while “Channel 14” claimed that his elimination was “finally confirmed” during a raid near a bakery in the Rimal neighborhood in Gaza City.
The official broadcasting authority “Kan” mentioned that the Israeli army attempted to assassinate him in a raid on Gaza.
Symbolism Beyond the Person
Over nearly two decades, Abu Ubaidah has become a media symbol of Palestinian resistance, and the “voice of Al-Qassam” in the narrative battle with the Israeli occupation, linked with his name to threats and promises of response, and pivotal moments in the course of the conflict.
With American support, the Israeli occupation has continued since October 7, 2023, to commit genocide in Gaza, resulting in more than 71,000 Palestinian martyrs and nearly 171,000 injured, along with immense destruction that has affected most of the civil infrastructure, in complete disregard of international calls and orders from the International Court of Justice.
