Palestinian relatives mourn Raed Saed, a senior leader of the Al-Qassam Brigades, during his funeral at Al-Shati refugee camp in Gaza City.Image: keystone
December 29, 2025, 4:18 p.mDecember 29, 2025, 4:25 p.m
The Islamist terrorist organization Hamas has officially confirmed the deaths of five leading members in Israeli attacks during the Gaza war.
According to a statement from the organization, the dead include the former spokesman for the Hamas military wing, Abu Obeida, the brother of Hamas leader Jihia al-Sinwar, who was also killed, Mohammed al-Sinwar, and senior Hamas commander Raed Saad. The new spokesman for Hamas’s military wing, the Qassam Brigades, also calls himself Abu Obeida.
Since the Gaza War began nearly two years ago, Israel has killed numerous senior Hamas leaders and commanders in the Gaza Strip and abroad. Even after a ceasefire began on October 10, Israel’s army continued its attacks on Hamas members.
Hamas officials abroad
The highest Hamas leader abroad is currently Khalil al-Haja. He leads the Hamas delegation in indirect negotiations with Israel. He spends most of his time in the Gulf Emirate of Qatar. Other senior Hamas officials abroad also live mostly in Qatar or Turkey.
Al-Haja survived an Israeli attack on the Hamas leadership in the Qatari capital Doha in September. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was forced to apologize to Qatar after the attack, which drew sharp international criticism. US President Donald Trump also assured the Gulf state of military protection. (sda/dpa)