Israel kills Hamas official, discusses Gaza assault

The Israeli military announced Sunday that it had killed a longtime spokesperson for Hamas' armed wing, as the country's security Cabinet met to discuss the expanding offensive in some of Gaza's most populated areas.

- BY WAFAA SHURAFA, SAMY MAGDY AND SAM METZ

MAYA LEVIN Associated Press

SMOKE rises Sunday after an Israeli military strike in the northern Gaza Strip, as seen from southern Israel.

There were no plans to discuss negotiations for a ceasefire at the meeting, according to an official who spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak with the media.

Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz identified the spokesperson as Abu Obeida, the nom de guerre for the official who represented the militant group's Qassam Brigades. He was killed over the weekend. Hamas has not commented on the claim.

Abu Obeida's last statement was issued Friday as Israel began the initial stages of the new offensive and declared Gaza City a combat zone. His statement said the militants would do their best to protect living hostages but warned that they would be in areas of fighting. He said the remains of dead hostages would "disappear forever."

Israel's military said the spokesperson, whom it identified as Hudahaifa Kahlout, had been behind the release of videos showing hostages as well as video of the Hamas-led attack that sparked the war.

Israel has killed many of Hamas' military and political leaders as it attempts to dismantle the group and prevent an attack like the one on Oct. 7, 2023, when militants abducted about 250 people and killed about 1,200, mostly civilians, in southern Israel.

Fewer than 50 hostages remain in Gaza, and Israel believes about 20 are alive.