Old statement by Izzat al-Risheq denies reports about martyrdom of Abu Obaida’s wife and children

Social media accounts published a statement by Hamas political bureau member Izzat al-Rishq, denying the martyrdom of the wife and children of Qassam Brigades spokesman Abu Obeida. He explained that what happened was “mere confusion due to a similarity in names, as the martyr is the wife and children of Ahmed Samir Quneitah, also known as Abu Obeida.” The statement was claimed to be recent, following Hebrew media reports that the target of an Israeli airstrike targeting an apartment in the Rimal neighborhood of Gaza was to assassinate Qassam Brigades spokesman Abu Obeida. 

Kashif verified the statement and found it to be outdated. On 15 October 2023 , Hamas Political Bureau member Izzat al-Rishq denied the martyrdom of the wife and children of Qassam Brigades spokesman Abu Ubaida. He has not issued any recent statements regarding Abu Obaida. 

Kashif searched the Telegram channel of Hamas Political Bureau member Izzat al-Rishq and found no recent statements by him regarding Abu Ubaida and his family. Neither Hamas platforms nor official media outlets reported him denying the martyrdom of Abu Ubaida and his family. 

Israeli newspaper “Israel Hayom” reported on Saturday, 30 August 2025, that the airstrike that targeted a residential apartment in the Al-Rimal neighborhood in Gaza was an attempt to eliminate the spokesman for the Al-Qassam Brigades, “Abu Obeida.” Channel 14 confirmed on Sunday, 31 August 2025, that the security establishment in Israel had received final confirmation regarding the assassination of “Abu Obeida.” 

Meanwhile, Hamas’s official channels have not issued any clarification regarding the martyrdom of its military wing spokesman, Abu Obeida.

Kashif had denied the martyrdom of the wife and children of the spokesman for the Qassam Brigades, “Abu Obeida,” on 15 October 2023, coinciding with the denial of Hamas Political Bureau member Izzat al-Rishq at the time.