Hamas confirms death of spokesman of its military wing

GAZA, Dec. 29 (Xinhua) -- Hamas' armed wing, the Al-Qassam Brigades, announced on Monday that its military spokesperson Abu Obeida had been killed during the Israeli offensive on the Gaza Strip.

The announcement was made by a newly-appointed spokesperson, who assumed the same nom de guerre, Abu Obeida, during a televised press conference.

The new spokesperson, wearing the uniform associated with the title, confirmed that Abu Obeida, whose real name was Hudhaifa Samir Al-Kahlout and also known as Abu Ibrahim, had died.

He said Abu Obeida "remained connected to his people during the darkest circumstances" and confirmed that several other senior leaders were also killed, including former Hamas military leader Mohammed Sinwar.

In 2005, Abu Obeida was appointed the military group's official spokesperson.

He became widely known after announcing the capture of Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit in 2006 and later gained prominence during Israeli military offensives on Gaza, particularly in 2014.

Abu Obeida delivered his last recorded statement on July 18, and was killed in an Israeli airstrike on Gaza on Aug. 30, according to sources within Hamas.

On Aug. 31, Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz said that the spokesman of Hamas's armed wing, Abu Obeida, had been killed in a strike in the Gaza Strip.■