Hamas has confirmed the deaths of five senior leaders, including its masked spokesperson, marking a significant setback for the militant organization amid ongoing conflict in Gaza.
Hamas has officially acknowledged the deaths of five senior leaders, representing one of the most substantial blows to the militant group since the onset of the Gaza war. The announcement was made by the Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades, Hamas’s armed wing, in a statement released on Monday.
Among those confirmed dead is Mohammed al-Sinwar, the brother of former Hamas leader Yahya al-Sinwar. He was reportedly killed during Israeli military operations in Gaza. The Jerusalem Post noted that al-Sinwar had ascended to a prominent role within the organization and was considered a key figure in Hamas’s wartime command following the deaths of other top commanders. The Israeli military had previously stated in May that he was killed in an airstrike targeting a Hamas command center located beneath the European Hospital in Khan Younis.
While Hamas did not specify the exact date of al-Sinwar’s death, it did confirm that he had been killed earlier this year. The group also acknowledged the death of Abu Obeida, the long-time masked spokesman for the al-Qassam Brigades, who had become the public face of the group’s military wing during the ongoing conflict. According to Reuters, this announcement marked the first time Hamas revealed Abu Obeida’s real name: Hudhayfa Samir Abdullah al-Kahlout. Israeli statements indicated that he was killed in an Israeli strike on Gaza City in late August, and while Israel had previously announced his death, this was the first official confirmation from Hamas.
In addition to al-Sinwar and Abu Obeida, Hamas confirmed the deaths of Raed Saad, a high-ranking commander within the al-Qassam Brigades, and Mohammed Shabanah, the head of its Rafah Brigade. Saad was reported killed in a targeted strike after months of tracking his movements through Gaza’s tunnel network. Israeli security officials described him as one of the principal planners behind the October 7, 2023, attack, which resulted in approximately 1,200 fatalities and over 250 hostages taken. Hakam al-Issa, a veteran commander and one of the founders of the al-Qassam Brigades, was also confirmed dead; he was reported killed during airstrikes in Gaza earlier this year, specifically in the Sabra neighborhood of Gaza City.
The confirmations of these deaths come despite a ceasefire that took effect in October. Following a meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida, President Trump issued a warning regarding Hamas. He stated that the group must disarm soon or face severe consequences. “They’re going to be given a very short period of time to disarm,” Trump said, adding that the next phase of the Gaza peace plan could proceed swiftly if Hamas lays down its weapons.
This development underscores the ongoing volatility in the region and the significant challenges facing Hamas as it navigates the aftermath of these leadership losses.
According to The Jerusalem Post, the ramifications of these deaths could further destabilize Hamas’s command structure and influence in the ongoing conflict.