Israel claims death of Hamas armed wing spokesperson Abu Obeida

The Israeli military claimed on Sunday it killed a longtime spokesperson for Hamas' armed wing. Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz identified the spokesperson as Abu Obeida, who was reportedly killed over the weekend.

There was no immediate comments from Hamas on the claim.

Obeida's last statement was issued on Friday, when Israel declared Gaza a combat zone after launching its expanded offensive, which was announced earlier this month and drew international condemnation.

The statement said militants would do their best to protect living hostages, but warned that they would be in areas of fighting. He also said the remains of dead hostages would “disappear forever.”

Israel has been operating on the outskirts of Gaza City and Jabaliya refugee camp for weeks, laying the groundwork for its offensive. The military has intensified air attacks on coastal areas of the city, including Rimal. More smoke rose over Gaza City on Sunday.

Israel claims that a network of tunnels used by Hamas still remain in the besieged city, despite several previous large-scale raids on the area throughout its nearly 23-month-long offensive.