In a statement, the Taliban expressed condolences over the deaths of Huthaifah Samir Abdullah al-Kahlout (Abu Ubaida), the spokesperson for Hamas’s military wing, and other members of the Palestinian group.
The Taliban called for the liberation of Palestinian territories from Israeli control and prayed that God would “forever destroy and frustrate the oppressors.”
On December 28, Hamas confirmed that Abu Ubaida (Huthaifah Samir Abdullah al-Kahlout), the spokesperson for its military wing, was killed as a result of what the group described as Israel’s “genocidal war.” The Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades, Hamas’s military branch, announced that a new spokesperson has been appointed to replace him.
Hamas did not provide the exact date of his death but confirmed that he died earlier this year. According to Israeli officials, Abu Ubaida was killed in late August during an Israeli airstrike on Gaza City.
Abu Ubaida was a prominent Hamas figure who delivered statements while wearing a mask. His last public statement came in early September, when Israel initiated the early stages of a military operation in Gaza, declaring the area a “combat zone.”
The al-Qassam Brigades also confirmed the deaths of several other senior commanders.
Over the past two years, Israel has eliminated many key Hamas figures, including Yahya Sinwar, Mohammed Deif, and Ismail Haniyeh. The country has stated that it will target anyone involved in the October 7 attacks.
A spokesperson for the al-Qassam Brigades said that the group remains committed to the ceasefire despite repeated Israeli violations. “Our people defend themselves, and as long as the occupation continues, we will not lay down our arms,” he said. He emphasized that Hamas will not surrender, even if it must fight “with its nails.”
The Palestinian Ministry of Health reported yesterday that since the ceasefire went into effect on October 11, at least 414 Palestinians have been killed and 1,145 others injured. Additionally, 680 bodies have been recovered from the rubble.
Since the start of the Israel-Hamas conflict, the ministry said, 71,266 Palestinians have been killed and 171,222 others wounded.
The Israel-Hamas war began on October 7, when Hamas and several other Palestinian groups entered Israel from Gaza, killing approximately 1,200 people in their attacks.
