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Abou Obeida confirmed dead
The al-Qassam Brigades, the armed wing of Hamas, announced Monday the death of several senior leaders in the war Israel is waging against the Gaza Strip, including the death of their spokesman Abou Obeida and their chief of staff Mohammed Sinwar Mohammad Sıo.
“Les Brigades Al-Qassam annoncent la mort de plusieurs de leurs dirigeants, dont Abou Obeida”
In a video message, the movement said Mohammed Sinwar, presented as chief of staff of the Brigades al-Qassam, was killed during clashes after succeeding Mohammed Deif, and it also confirmed the deaths of Mohammed Shabana, commandant of the brigade of Rafah, and Yahya Sinwar, head of Hamas’s political bureau.
The Brigades also confirmed the death of Hokm Al-Issa, described as having held multiple responsibilities including military training and armament, and it said Raed Saad, former head of operations, also died.
In parallel, Anadolu Ajansı said Hamas confirmed the death of Abou Obeida and several high military commanders, identifying Abou Obeida’s real identity as Hudhayfah Abdullah al-Kahlout and saying he had been the group’s official and media voice throughout the conflict.
New spokesman and messages
Hespress Français said the announcements came in a video address broadcast by a new spokesman whose identity was not revealed, while it described Mohammed Sinwar as having been killed during the fighting.
France 24 reported that the al-Qassam Brigades confirmed on Monday on their Telegram channel the death in Gaza of its spokesman Abou Obeida, who had been announced in August by Israel, and it said the video statement expressed respect for the "great martyr commander Abou Obeida."
France 24 also said a new official took over Abou Obeida’s name and duties, and it described Abou Obeida’s role as the armed wing’s spokesman since 2002 and as one of the leaders to announce the October 7 attack.
In a separate televised address carried by Al-Jazeera Net, Abu Obaida told mediators and guarantors to stand with the people of the Gaza Strip against an enemy who does not respect promises or the sanctities of agreements, adding that the bill "will remain open until our enemy pays it in full".
Ceasefire, casualties, and stakes
Al-Qassam Brigades said on their Telegram channel on Monday, December 29, that the Palestinian people will never renounce their means of defense as long as the occupation lasts, and it urged mediators to compel Israel to respect the terms of the signed agreement.
“the Palestinian people will never renounce their means of defense as long as the occupation lasts”
The same statement said the current ceasefire and the halt to the bloodshed are the exclusive result of the people’s firmness on their land, while it also stressed that the right to respond to the crimes of the occupation is legitimate and guaranteed.
It further said Israeli attacks targeting the Al-Aqsa Mosque and the West Bank, the forcible displacement of Palestinians, and steps to finalize a plan of annexation and to legalize the death penalty for prisoners are part of a continuing escalation dynamic, and it lamented the deaths of leaders killed in Israeli strikes including Abu Obeida and Yahya Sinwar.
In addition, Al-Qassam Brigades’ speech cited by Al Jazeera said the Palestinian Ministry of Health announced on Monday, December 29, that Israeli aggressions have caused the deaths of 414 people and left 1,145 injured, as the movement called on President Trump to continue pressuring the occupier to implement the points agreed in the deal.
