The military wing of Hamas officially announced the death of the spokesman Abu Obeida on Monday, who was eliminated last August, and revealed his replacement. Although a photo of the new spokesman was published, his name has not yet been disclosed. The IDF was not surprised by the new appointment, saying it is part of moves to change the face of Hamas’s leadership.
Hamas’s military wing officially announced the death of the spokesman Abu Obeida, who was eliminated last August. With the confirmation of his elimination, the terrorist organization revealed his replacement, the new spokesman of the military wing. The organization published the photo of the new spokesman, but did not disclose his name.
The IDF was not surprised by the appointment announcement of Hamas’s military wing, and according to military sources, the move was expected. One source said the decision to appoint a successor to Abu Obeida is part of a broader process toward holding internal elections within the Hamas leadership.
It was further stated that, alongside the appointment, Hamas seeks to continue rehabilitating the military wing, and therefore, in its statement, hinted that it has no intention of disarming despite American and Israeli pressures and those of the mediators.
Another military source said that the idea of concealing the figure of the new spokesman and wrapping his face in a keffiyeh is part of the psychological warfare that also characterized the previous spokesman, Abu Obeida, who the security establishment eliminated. It can be assessed that the incoming spokesman will also be in the sights of the security establishment, and that until his identity is exposed, it is only a matter of time.
Abu Obeida was the spokesman of Hamas's military wing and considered the second most influential figure in Hamas in the Gaza Strip, and he stands behind the shattering psychological-warfare mechanism of October 7 and afterwards.
The new spokesperson confirmed that he has “inherited” the nom de guerre of “Abu Obeida,” literally “father of the worshipers,” from the previous spokesperson, who was legally named Huthayfa Samir Abdallah al-Kahlout.
Timing around the announcement and Hamas elections
Hamas’s announcement came against the backdrop of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s trip to the United States for his meeting with US President Donald Trump, where, among other things, they also discussed moving to phase B of the deal in Gaza.
Over the weekend, it was reported that Hamas plans to hold elections for the leadership of the organization soon, in which a replacement will be chosen for the leader and head of the political bureau, Yahya Sinwar, who was eliminated more than a year ago, sources close to the Hamas leadership told the Saudi newspaper Asharq.
The sources said that the organization has begun preparations for elections to choose the head of the political bureau within the framework of the General Shura Council, numbering about 50 members representing three arenas: the Gaza Strip, the West Bank, and abroad. They expect the elections to be held within a few days to several weeks.
The frontrunners are believed to be Khalil al-Hayya and Khaled Mashaal.
James Genn contributed to this report.