Overview
- The Qassam Brigades identified the longtime masked spokesman as Hudhayfa Samir Abdullah al‑Kahlout and released his photograph for the first time.
- A new masked spokesman said he will adopt the Abu Obeida nom de guerre and assume the role as the group’s public voice.
- Hamas also confirmed the deaths of commanders Mohammed Sinwar, Mohammed Shabana, Raed Saad and Hakam al‑Issa, aligning with previous Israeli announcements.
- Israel had said it killed Sinwar in May and Abu Obeida in late August, and reported Raed Saad’s death on Dec. 13 after tracking him through Gaza’s tunnels.
- In his first address, the new spokesman rejected disarmament, a position that complicates President Trump’s ceasefire push following his meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Florida.