by EuroNews
It’s published
Israeli forces claimed on Sunday that they had killed a longtime spokesman for Hamas’ armed wings. Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz has identified the spokesman as Abu Obeida, who is reportedly murdered over the weekend.
There were no immediate comments from Hamas on the claim.
Obeida’s final statement was issued on Friday when Israel declared Gaza a combat zone and elicited international condemnation after Israel launched its expanded attack released earlier this month.
The statement said extremists will do their best to protect the living hostages, but warned that they are in the field of fighting. He also said that the ruins of the dead hostages will “disappear forever.”
Israel has been operating for several weeks in the outskirts of Gaza city and the Jabariya refugee camp, laying the foundation for its attack. The military is stepping up air force attacks in coastal areas of the city, including Rimal. More smoke rose in Gaza city on Sunday.
Israel claims that the network of tunnels used by Hamas remains in the besieged city despite several previous major attacks on the area through nearly 23 months of attack.
