Abu Obeida, the spokesman for Hamas's armed wing, has been killed in an air strike in Gaza City, Israel has said. Israel's Defence Minister Israel Katz congratulated the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) and Israel's security agency, Shin Bet, for the flawless execution in a post on X. He gave no detail on the time or location of the operation, but the IDF earlier said its aircraft attacked a key terrorist in the al-Rimal neighbourhood on Saturday, prompting reports in Israeli media that Obeida had been the target. Hamas has not confirmed his death. The Palestinian armed group earlier said dozens of civilians were killed and injured in Israeli strikes on a residential building in the district. Katz warned on Sunday that many more of Obeida's criminal partners would be targeted with the intensification of the campaign in Gaza, referencing a recently approved Israeli plan to seize control of Gaza City. The IDF and Shin Bet detailed the operation that led to Obeida's killing, stating it was enabled by prior intelligence that identified his hiding spot. Five missiles struck the targeted apartment building, which had previously been used as a dentist's office. Local witnesses reported significant civilian casualties. Obeida was a prominent figure in Hamas's military operations, noted for his fiery rhetoric against Israel, often appearing masked and becoming an icon among Hamas supporters. This escalation follows Israel's military retaliation against Hamas's attack in October, with significant casualties reported on both sides. The situation in Gaza remains critical, with concerns over the humanitarian crisis as attacks continue.