Reports: Israel Attempts To Assassinate Al-Qassam Spokesman Abu Obaida

Israel attempted to assassinate the military spokesperson of Hamas's Al-Qassam Brigades, Abu Obaida, in an airstrike targeting a residential building in the Al-Rimal neighborhood of western Gaza City, resulting in several casualties Saturday evening.

Channel 12 cited security sources as saying,“There is optimism, and we cautiously assess the situation as positive.”

Israeli public broadcaster Kan 11 reported that security agencies are still examining the results of the strike, quoting an Israeli official who described the outcome as“looking good.”

The Israeli army, in a joint statement with the Shin Bet (Israel Security Agency), said it targeted a“central figure” in Hamas in northern Gaza City. The army claimed that prior to the strike, it took multiple measures to minimize civilian casualties, including the use of precision munitions, aerial reconnaissance, and intelligence gathering.

The strike followed statements from Abu Obaida on his Telegram channel, in which he warned that Israel's criminal plans to occupy Gaza would bring disastrous consequences to its political and military leadership, adding that the army would pay in the blood of its soldiers and that the chances of capturing new Israeli soldiers would increase.

Abu Obaida said the fighters“are on high alert, fully prepared, and morally resolute. They will demonstrate extraordinary bravery and will teach the invaders harsh lessons.”

He further accused Prime Minister Netanyahu and his ministers of deciding to halve the number of captured Israeli soldiers and ensuring that most of the bodies of dead captives disappear permanently, holding the Israeli army and government fully responsible.

Abu Obaida concluded by asserting,“We will protect enemy captives as much as we can. They will remain with the fighters in combat zones under the same conditions of risk and living. We will announce the death of every captive resulting from aggression with their name, photo, and proof of killing.

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