Hamas turns ‘Abu Obaida’ into symbolic figure to counter 'Israeli' intelligence

Listen to this story:

0:00

Note: AI technology was used to generate this article’s audio.

Published :

17 hours ago|

Palestine

Hamas’ Al-Qassam Brigades honor leader’s legacy while signaling organizational resilience.
“Abu Obaida” becomes symbolic figure, neutralizing the strategic impact of targeted assassinations.

The announcement by Hamas’ military wing, the Al-Qassam Brigades, of the death of field commander Hudhaifa al-Kahlout on December 29 marked more than a eulogy, it signaled the start of a new phase in what analysts call the “image war”, emphasizing continuity of the post over the individual.

Following the confirmation of al-Kahlout’s killing, the symbolic appearance of “Abu Obaida” has sent a clear message to Israeli intelligence: the military spokesperson is no longer a single target vulnerable to bullets or rockets but has become an institutional figure, represented by multiple voices.

This approach demonstrates high organizational flexibility, ensuring that the resistance’s media operations continue seamlessly despite the loss of personnel, effectively undermining the strategic value of targeted assassinations.

By maintaining the symbolic identity of “Abu Obaida,” complete with signature mask and keffiyeh, Hamas seeks to preserve psychological resilience. While the absence of a familiar voice could have delivered a morale boost to the occupation, the continuity of the post nullifies that advantage, highlighting Al-Qassam’s ability to generate media impact from the battlefield itself.

The move transforms “Abu Obaida” into an enduring concept beyond any individual, sustaining psychological operations against the enemy’s home front and linking the figure to defeats and messages emanating from Gaza’s tunnels.