Al-Qassam Website - Our great martyr, Hudhayfa Samir Al-Kahlout, known as Abu Obaida, was born on February 11, 1985, in Saudi Arabia to a Palestinian family displaced from the village of Na'aliya. This village was occupied in 1948 during the Nakba, the catastrophe of Palestine. His family later settled in the northern Gaza Strip's refugee camp of Jabalya.

Al-Kahlout was raised in a humble Palestinian family committed to Islamic values. From an early age, he was known for his politeness, cooperation, and respect toward others, earning the admiration of his family, neighbors, and friends.

Education and the Start of Resistance Work

He studied Islamic Doctrine at the Islamic University of Gaza, equipping himself with knowledge before taking up arms. In 2013, he graduated with a master’s degree in Islamic studies after defending his thesis titled "The Holy Land, Between Judaism, Christianity, and Islam."

The late spokesperson's first media appearance came on October 2, 2004, when he spoke about the Israeli aggression on the Jabalia camp. From that day forward, his voice became synonymous with truth, channeling the Palestinian people's struggles and providing vital messages of resistance.

He was known as "Abu Obaida" or "the masked man," and his nom de guerre became inseparable from the resistance. He stood as a symbol of steadfastness, unwavering loyalty to Palestinian principles, and resilience in the face of occupation. As the official spokesperson for the Al-Qassam Brigades, he typically appeared in full military attire, his face concealed by a red Kuffiyeh, standing in front of the Al-Qassam Brigades’ flag or insignia.

In 2017, he assumed leadership of the Military Media Department, a position he held until his martyrdom. Under his leadership, the Al-Qassam Brigades' media operations were significantly advanced, and he was instrumental in shaping its strategic communications and global impact.

Over the past two decades, Abu Obaida became one of the most recognized Palestinian voices associated with the resistance. His speeches, particularly since the start of the settler-colonial occupation state of Israel’s genocide on Gaza on October 7, 2023, resonated worldwide, bringing global attention to the Palestinian cause and resistance efforts.

A Voice Echoing in the Homes of the World

Abu Obaida’s impact extended beyond military operations. He bridged the gap between the resistance and the people, becoming the voice echoing in the world. His messages of steadfastness and determination offered hope, especially during the darkest days of the 2023 Gaza aggression. His leadership, following the "Al-Aqsa Flood" operation, symbolized not just military strength but also intellectual and moral resolve.

His personality embodied the ideal of a knight who fought for his land and people, balancing strength with humanity, and resilience with intellect. His legacy is carved into the collective memory of the Palestinian people, forever etched like the rock of Palestine—unyielding in the face of occupation.

Abu Obaida was not just an official spokesperson. He was the pulse of the nation, the voice of resistance, and a symbol of the Palestinian dream for freedom and dignity—a dream that remains alive, no matter how much the forces of darkness try to extinguish it.

Assassination

On August 30, 2025, the brutal Israeli occupation assassinated Abu Obaida in a raid on a home, killing him, his wife, and their three children. However, his martyrdom was not an end but a new beginning, a source of fuel that would continue to ignite the flame of resistance and awaken the will of the Palestinian nation.

What Did Abu Obaida Say in His Last Message?

In his final recorded address, broadcast on August 29, 2025, just one day before his assassination, Abu Obaida stated: "Any attempt by the Israeli army to occupy the Gaza Strip would backfire on its political and military leadership. The resistance is prepared to inflict harsh lessons on any invading forces."

He also said: "Al-Qassam fighters are at the highest levels of readiness and alert. Any decision by the enemy to launch a ground battle would carry disastrous consequences for their leaders, with grave strategic repercussions for their military and political decision-makers."