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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UP: Petrol pump manager booked for denying fuel to ambulance; causing man's death
Ballia (UP) (PTI): Police on Saturday registered a case against a petrol pump manager in connection with the death of a 50-year-old man who allegedly could not be taken to hospital in time after a private ambulance was denied fuel.
The case has been filed against Ashok Kumar Bharti, manager of M/s Bhushan Service Station in Tengrahi village, under sections of the Essential Commodities Act, officials said.
According to police, the FIR was lodged following a complaint by Supply Inspector Indresh Kumar Tiwari. During the inquiry, the manager admitted that an ambulance had arrived at the petrol pump around 9.20 pm on April 22 seeking fuel, stating that it had run out of petrol. However, fuel was not provided, citing non-availability, officials said.
The ambulance allegedly remained stationed at the pump for about 15 minutes. However, records showed that the petrol pump had sufficient stock on that day, including 4,595 litres of motor spirit, 4,784 litres of high-speed diesel and 3,475 litres of premium petrol, indicating that fuel was available but not supplied, the FIR said.
District Magistrate Mangla Prasad Singh said an inquiry was conducted under the supervision of the Additional District Magistrate by a team comprising the Sub-Divisional Magistrate of Bairia and the District Supply Officer. Based on the findings, directions were issued to register a case.
Circle Officer (Bairia) Mohammad Fahim Qureshi said police have launched a probe and are searching for the accused manager.
Earlier, District Supply Officer Devmani Mishra had said that Chhatthu Sharma (50), a resident of Pandeypur village in Bairia tehsil, fell critically ill on the night of April 22. His family was taking him to the district hospital in a private ambulance when it ran out of fuel on the way.
The family approached a petrol pump near Tengrahi village for fuel, but the operator allegedly refused, citing a shortage. The family claimed that Sharma died on the way as he could not be taken to the hospital in time due to a lack of petrol.
The district magistrate said that CCTV footage confirmed that the ambulance had reached the petrol pump and sought fuel, which was not provided. He added that the pump operator cited low stock, but inspection revealed sufficient stock of petrol and diesel at the outlet.
Officials said that representatives of Indian Oil have also visited the site, and further action against the petrol pump will be recommended based on the findings.
