Hamas blow landed hard Monday as the terror group confirmed the deaths of five senior leaders, including its longtime masked spokesman, in what reports describe as one of the most damaging setbacks since the Gaza war began. The confirmation followed months of Israeli claims and intelligence assessments and came even as a ceasefire remains in place. The losses strike directly at Hamas’ military command and propaganda leadership.
In a statement from its armed wing, the Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades, Hamas confirmed that Mohammed al-Sinwar was killed during Israeli military operations in Gaza. Al-Sinwar, brother of former Hamas leader Yahya al-Sinwar, had emerged as a central wartime commander after other leaders were eliminated. The Israeli military previously said he died in a May airstrike targeting a Hamas command center beneath the European Hospital in Khan Younis.
Hamas also confirmed the death of Abu Obeida, the masked spokesman who became the public face of the group’s military wing during the war. The announcement revealed his real name as Hudhayfa Samir Abdullah al-Kahlout and marked the first time Hamas publicly acknowledged his death, which Israel said occurred during a strike on Gaza City in late August.
Additional confirmations included Raed Saad, identified by Israeli officials as a principal planner of the Oct. 7, 2023, attack that killed around 1,200 people and led to more than 250 hostages. Hamas also acknowledged the deaths of Mohammed Shabanah, head of its Rafah Brigade, and Hakam al-Issa, a founding commander of the al-Qassam Brigades.
The Hamas Blow drew international attention as President Trump warned the terror group following a meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. “They’re going to be given a very short period of time to disarm,” Trump said, adding that progress toward peace depends on Hamas laying down its weapons.
