In a significant revelation, the military wing of Hamas, the Izz al-Din al-Qassam Brigades, has confirmed the death of its longtime, iconic spokesman and introduced his successor, who will inherit the same famous nom de guerre.
In a pre-recorded message aired on Monday, a new masked spokesman announced that his predecessor, known globally by the pseudonym Abu Obeida, had been "martyred" in an Israeli airstrike on Gaza City in August 2025. For the first time, Hamas officially disclosed the fallen spokesman's real name: Huthaifa Samir al-Kahlout.
The End of an Era: Remembering "The Masked One"
Huthaifa Samir al-Kahlout, who served as the voice of Hamas's military wing for over two decades, was a figure shrouded in mystery. He never revealed his face in public, always appearing incognito with his identity concealed by a distinctive red keffiyeh (headscarf), earning him the title "the masked one" across the Arab world. Only a handful of insiders reportedly knew his true identity before his death.
His televised speeches, marked by a thunderous and defiant tone, were a central feature of Hamas's information warfare. He used these platforms to deliver battlefield updates, claim military successes, taunt Israeli leadership, and rally supporters. His profile soared dramatically following Hamas's October 7, 2023, attack on Israel and the ensuing war in Gaza. One of his most resonant phrases from a 2024 speech—"God forbid"—criticizing Arab leaders for inaction, became a widely adopted slogan of frustration across the region.
According to the new spokesman's tribute, Kahlout was a leader who spent "two decades of frustrating the enemies and uplifting the hearts of the believers." He was best known for announcing major events, including the capture of Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit in 2006 and soldier Shaul Aron in 2014. Israel had reportedly made several attempts to assassinate him over the past 20 years.
A New Voice Inherits a Legacy
The new spokesman, whose real identity remains unknown, has also adopted the pseudonym Abu Obeida, continuing the legacy of the name. The name is a reference to Abu Ubaidah ibn al-Jarrah, a revered companion of the Prophet Muhammad and a legendary military commander in Islamic history.
In his inaugural address, the new Abu Obeida also confirmed the deaths of other senior Hamas military leaders, including former Qassam Brigades commander Mohammed al-Sinwar (killed in May) and senior official Raed Saad (killed earlier in December).
The transition marks the end of an era for Hamas's public communication. The new spokesman now steps into the role of being the masked, symbolic voice for the group, tasked with maintaining the narrative and morale for its supporters in a conflict that shows no signs of abating.
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