In the ongoing conflict in the Gaza Strip, the Israeli military announced on Sunday the elimination of Abu Obeida, the longtime spokesperson for Hamas' armed wing, the Al-Qassam Brigades. This announcement came during a meeting of Israel's security cabinet, which primarily focused on the escalating offensive in densely populated areas of Gaza. Notably, no discussions regarding a ceasefire were anticipated at this meeting, as reported by an official who requested anonymity due to a lack of authorization for media comments.
Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz confirmed that the Israeli military killed Abu Obeida, whose real name is Hudahaifa Kahlout, over the weekend. The spokesperson was known for producing videos that displayed hostages and footage related to Hamas-led attacks that instigated the war. Following the announcement of his death, Hamas remained silent. Abu Obeida's last communication arose on Friday, coinciding with the commencement of a new offensive by Israel, during which he stated that militants would attempt to safeguard living hostages but highlighted the dangers they faced in conflict zones.
The conflict saw Hamas launch a large-scale attack on October 7, 2023, resulting in the abduction of 251 individuals and the deaths of around 1,200, primarily civilians, in southern Israel. As of now, fewer than 50 hostages are still believed to be in Gaza, with Israel estimating that roughly 20 of them are alive. Families of these hostages have expressed their outrage directed at the Israeli government, protesting outside the security cabinet meeting due to their unwillingness to negotiate a ceasefire.
Amid these developments, the humanitarian situation within Gaza remains dire. At least 43 Palestinians were reported killed over the weekend, predominantly in Gaza City, according to local health officials. The Shifa Hospital, the largest medical facility in the region, received 29 bodies, including ten individuals who lost their lives while seeking assistance. Witnesses recounted instances where Israeli troops fired upon crowds attempting to secure food in designated military zones, leading to civilian casualties.
As the Israeli military intensified airstrikes in coastal areas of Gaza City, an ominous atmosphere lingered. Smoke permeated the skyline, and residents of the Rimal neighborhood were seen searching through the debris of damaged buildings. Despite Israeli warnings urging Palestinians to evacuate southward, many are hesitant, having faced exhaustion and repeated displacements throughout the conflict.
The United Nations reports that over 90% of the 2 million Palestinians in Gaza have been displaced at least once since the onset of the war, with numerous individuals experiencing multiple relocations. The Israeli government has indicated a reduction in aid to Gaza City, initiating new infrastructure projects in southern Gaza, which Palestinians interpret as a form of forced displacement.
Additionally, in response to the growing humanitarian crisis, the Gaza Health Ministry reported that seven more adult deaths occurred due to malnutrition-related issues within a 24-hour span, bringing the total to 215 adults since June. The situation for children is similarly alarming, with 124 fatalities attributed to malnutrition-related causes since the war began.
In a notable attempt to breach the Israeli blockade of Gaza, a flotilla set sail from Barcelona laden with humanitarian aid and activists. Similar efforts in the past have not succeeded. The Gaza Health Ministry has stated that approximately 63,371 Palestinians have died during the ongoing conflict, although specific attribution between fighters and civilians remains unclear, with reports suggesting that around half the fatalities are women and children. The Israeli government disputes these figures but has not offered alternative statistics.
