Inside Abu Obaida’s thesis: “Holy Land between Judaism, Christianity, and Islam”

• Abu Obaida (Huthaifa al-Kahlout) explored the religious foundations of the Palestinian struggle in his 2013 master’s thesis, “The Holy Land between Judaism, Christianity, and Islam.”

Following the Qassam Brigades’ announcement on Monday evening confirming the death of their military spokesperson Abu Obaida and revealing his real identity as Huthaifa Samir al-Kahlout, renewed attention has turned to the academic background of the man who, for years led Hamas’ media and psychological messaging during wartime.

Read more: Hamas names new spokesperson, confirms Abu Obaida’s death

Researchers and social media users have widely circulated excerpts from al-Kahlout’s 2013 master’s thesis, submitted to the Islamic University of Gaza and titled “The Holy Land between Judaism, Christianity, and Islam.”

The thesis, largely unknown to the public for years, has re-emerged as a key text reflecting the ideological framework that underpinned his public rhetoric.

The document, long confined to academic shelves, is now being presented by supporters as an intellectual testament, portraying Abu Obaida not only as a military spokesperson but as a religious ideologue who grounded his political positions in doctrinal arguments and rejected territorial compromise on theological grounds.

A conflict of belief, not borders

In light of the announcement of his death, renewed readings of the thesis highlight al-Kahlout’s central argument: that Palestine, in his view, was seized throughout history not merely for political or humanitarian reasons, but through religious narratives rooted in Jewish, Christian, and Crusader traditions.

Al-Kahlout frames the conflict as a struggle between “truth and falsehood,” arguing that its primary arena is religious belief rather than statehood, borders, or national self-determination. He explicitly rejects interpretations that treat the issue as a conventional political dispute.

In the dedication of his thesis, al-Kahlout wrote that it was addressed “to every Muslim in loyalty and love, and to every Jew and Christian as argument and proof,” language that supporters now interpret as foreshadowing his later media role.

Challenging Jewish theological claims

The first chapter of the thesis focuses on what al-Kahlout describes as the ideological foundations of 'Israel', identifying four sources he argues underpin Zionist thought: the Torah, the Talmud, rabbinical rulings, and The Protocols of the Elders of Zion.

Based on his reading of religious texts, al-Kahlout advances several conclusions that he presents as central to his critique:

• Scriptural authenticity: He argues that the Torah lacks a continuous historical chain of transmission and has undergone alteration, asserting that it cannot be reliably attributed to Moses.
• The promise of the land: He challenges claims of an exclusive divine promise to Jews, arguing that biblical texts include all descendants of Abraham and that the promise was conditional upon obedience.
• Expansionist ambitions: Al-Kahlout warns that what he describes as the biblical boundaries of the “Promised Land” stretch from the Nile to the Euphrates, which he interprets as evidence of broader territorial aspirations.
• Violence as doctrine: He links modern 'Israeli' military practices to what he characterizes as scriptural commands for total destruction, arguing that contemporary actions reflect religious ideology rather than policy alone.

Christian Zionism and Western support

In the second chapter, al-Kahlout examines Christianity, with particular emphasis on Christian Zionism in the West, especially in the United States.

He argues that Christian theology was historically altered through figures such as Paul, whom he describes as reshaping the monotheistic message of Jesus. He further contends that Christian Zionists view support for 'Israel' as a religious obligation rather than a political choice.

According to the thesis, this support is tied to eschatological beliefs, including the return of Christ, the gathering of Jews in Palestine, and an anticipated final battle known as Armageddon. Al-Kahlout portrays this alliance as a theological partnership rather than a strategic coincidence.

Islamic doctrine and the concept of endowment

The third chapter outlines what al-Kahlout presents as the Islamic legal and religious basis for claims to Palestine. Drawing on Quranic verses, prophetic tradition, and early Islamic history, he argues that the land is an Islamic endowment (waqf) held in trust for future generations.

He cites the decision attributed to Caliph Umar ibn al-Khattab to designate the land as communal property and references scholarly rulings that prohibit its sale or relinquishment. The thesis concludes that armed struggle to reclaim Palestine is, in his view, an individual religious obligation.

Conclusions and final recommendations

Al-Kahlout concludes his thesis by urging the education of future generations to view the conflict as one of existence rather than borders. He rejects political frameworks such as coexistence or a two-state solution, arguing instead that land taken by force can only be recovered by force.

The re-emergence of the thesis following his death offers a rare window into the ideological worldview of a figure who, until now, was known primarily for his masked appearances and wartime statements, revealing the doctrinal foundations that shaped his public role.