Hamas confirms death of Abu Obeida, introduces new military spokesman
Gaza: Hamas’s armed wing, the Izz al-Din al-Qassam Brigades, has officially confirmed the death of its long-time military spokesman Abu Obeida, revealing his real identity for the first time and announcing the appointment of a new spokesman who will use the same nom de guerre.
In a pre-recorded statement aired on Arab media on Monday, the group said that Abu Obeida, whose real name was Huthaifa Samir al-Kahlout, was killed in an Israeli strike on Gaza City in August. While Israel and the Shin Bet had claimed his killing at the time, Hamas had not confirmed the report until now.
The new spokesman, whose identity has not been disclosed, stated that he would continue to operate under the name Abu Obeida. He paid tribute to al-Kahlout, describing him as a key figure in Hamas’s military media apparatus who served the organisation for over two decades.
The statement marked the first official confirmation by Hamas of al-Kahlout’s identity. Throughout his public life, he appeared only with his face covered by a red keffiyeh, earning him the nickname “the masked one” across the Arab world.
The new spokesman also confirmed the deaths of other senior military leaders, including Mohammed al-Sinwar, the former commander of the Izz al-Din al-Qassam Brigades, who was killed in May, and Raed Saad, who was killed earlier this month.
Al-Kahlout served as the sole military spokesman of the Qassam Brigades since 2004, delivering televised statements, battlefield updates and announcements during major confrontations with Israel. His profile rose sharply following the Hamas-led attack on Israel in October 2023 and the subsequent Israeli attacks on Gaza.
Little was publicly known about his personal life. In a past interview, he stated that his family had been displaced during the 1948 Nakba and resettled in a refugee camp in the Gaza Strip. Sources within Hamas said only a small number of people were aware of his true identity before his death.
Israel had attempted to assassinate him multiple times over the years. In April 2024, the United States imposed sanctions on him, describing him as Hamas’s “information warfare chief.”
The confirmation of his death comes months after Israeli authorities claimed responsibility, closing a long period of uncertainty surrounding one of Hamas’s most recognisable and influential figures.
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Karnataka leads in AI: Minister Priyank Kharge at Impact Summit
Bengaluru (PTI): Minister Priyank Kharge on Wednesday highlighted the state’s leadership in AI and deep technology while engaging with global industry leaders and startups at a four-day summit held in New Delhi, officials said.
During the event, Priyank witnessed the signing of a strategic MoU between H Company and St John’s Medical College & Research Institute, Bengaluru, to pilot advanced enterprise AI for hospital operations and workflow automation, strengthening responsible AI in healthcare, the minister’s office said in a statement here.
Speaking on the sidelines of the India AI Impact Summit, the minister said Karnataka is ahead of the curve in AI.
“We are already home to leading global AI players such as Harvey AI and Anthropic, and The Walt Disney Company is expanding its AI network in Bengaluru,” he added.
Noting Bengaluru’s position among the top global cities for AI talent, he added, “Under our DeepTech Decade, we are supporting startups with grants of up to Rs 1 crore. We are engaging with global leaders and innovators to ensure responsible AI use, build the right skill sets, create strong incubators, and establish Centres of Excellence that can foster startups and strengthen e-governance.”
The minister also attended a roundtable organised by the US-India Business Council (USIBC), where discussions focused on strengthening technology collaboration, investment partnerships, and innovation-led growth between Karnataka and global enterprises.
He met Timo Harakka, Member of Parliament of Finland, to explore possibilities for collaboration between Karnataka and Finland in AI and deep-tech sectors, including joint research, innovation partnerships, and startup exchanges.
The Karnataka IT Minister also visited the Indian Army showcase at the summit, which featured advanced AI-driven defence and strategic technology applications, highlighting the role of AI in national security and modernisation efforts.
He toured the Karnataka Pavilion and the ArtPark Pavilion, interacting with founders and teams from Karnataka’s innovation ecosystem and reviewing emerging AI and deep-tech solutions, the statement added.
