Hamas shares old Abu Obaida speech as displaced Gaza return after ceasefire

As a ceasefire takes effect and hundreds of thousands of Palestinians begin returning to Gaza City and the northern part of the strip, Hamas’ military wing, Al-Qassam Brigades, have reposted a July speech from their spokesperson, Abu Obaida, signaling a "divine victory."

Message of “Divine Victory”

In a snippet from a speech delivered on July 18, Abu Obaida said, "We kiss the head of all our people, the patient and victorious elders... and we bring them good news from our Lord, glory be to him: To God belongs the command, before and after, and on that day, the believers will rejoice in the victory of God."

The reposting of the speech coincides with the return of hundreds of thousands of Palestinians to their homes after the withdrawal of ‘Israeli’ forces from several areas as part of the deal to end the war.

Two Years of War

The ceasefire comes after a two-year genocidal war which resulted in the deaths of more than 67,000 people and left approximately 170,000 injured, according to local and international sources.

The conflict also led to the deaths of 460 Palestinians, including 154 children, from starvation.

Abu Obaida

‘Israel’, in August, claimed it killed Abu Obaida in an airstrike on Gaza City.

According to ‘Israeli’ Defense Minister Israel Katz, the strike at the time had targeted a command site in the Rimal neighborhood on August 31, 2025.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described the operation as a “significant blow” to Hamas’s leadership structure, calling Abu Obaida “the public face of Hamas’s propaganda and psychological warfare.”

Abu Obaida, whose real name has never been officially disclosed, has for years served as the voice of Hamas, appearing in televised statements and recordings during major escalations.

However, Hamas has not confirmed his death, and conflicting reports have emerged.