Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated on Sunday that Hamas armed wing spokesperson Abu Ubaida, also known as Hozayfa Al-Khalout, was killed in a joint military and Shin Bet domestic intelligence operation. The Israeli military had reportedly targeted him in a strike on Friday.
The Israel Defense Minister, Israel Katz, confirmed Ubaida’s death, who was a well-known figure and had served as a spokesperson for Hamas for two decades, often delivering messages through video.
The announcement comes as Israeli forces continue to pound Gaza City with strikes from the air and on the ground. These strikes have led to the destruction of homes, forcing more families to evacuate.
Meanwhile, Netanyahu’s security cabinet met on Sunday to discuss a plan to seize Gaza City. Local health authorities in Gaza reported that at least 30 people were killed in the recent strikes, including 13 who were seeking food at an aid site.The Israeli military had previously ended temporary pauses for aid deliveries in the area, designating it a “dangerous combat zone.”
The head of the Red Cross, Mirjana Spoljaric, warned on Saturday that the large-scale displacement of Gaza residents would be unsustainable due to severe shortages of food, shelter, and medical aid in other areas.