Revealing the Fate of Prominent Leaders in Al-Qassam Brigades

After months of silence and ambiguity, the Al-Qassam Brigades, the military wing of the Hamas movement, revealed on Monday evening the fate of a number of its military leaders, in a file that has been the subject of conflicting narratives between Israel and the Palestinians.

And Al-Qassam announced the death of its Chief of Staff Muhammad al-Sinwar, its spokesperson Hudhaifa al-Kahlout "Abu Ubaida", Rafah Brigade commander in southern Gaza Strip Muhammad Shabana, Hukm Issa commander of the Weapons and Combat Services Branch, in addition to Ra'id Saad commander of the Manufacturing Branch, during the Israeli genocide war.

Sources in Hamas provided information about the lives and careers of the Qassam leaders, confirming their prominent roles in the military and organizational structure of the brigades.

** Muhammad al-Sinwar (Qassam Chief of Staff)

- One of the first leaders of the brigades in Khan Yunis in southern Gaza Strip, and succeeded Muhammad al-Deif in the leadership of Qassam Staff, and the movement described him as having a "brilliant mind" in leading military operations during a difficult period.

- Brother of Yahya al-Sinwar, the former head of the Hamas Political Bureau, who was assassinated by Israel on October 16, 2024.

- He assumed command of the Khan Yunis Brigade, then managed the Human Resources Branch, before overseeing the Operations Branch that planned and executed the "Al-Aqsa Flood" operation on October 7, 2023.

- He carried out a number of military operations against Israeli sites and settlements during the Al-Aqsa Intifada (2000 - 2005) before Israel's unilateral withdrawal from Gaza Strip in 2005.

- He is directly responsible for planning and executing the operation to capture the Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit in 2006 from the Sofa military site east of Rafah in southern Gaza Strip.

- Israel announced his assassination in an airstrike targeting him in Khan Yunis in May 2025.

** Muhammad Shabana, Rafah Brigade Commander in Qassam:

- One of the prominent leaders in Al-Qassam Brigades in southern Gaza Strip.

- Participated in planning and executing a number of military operations during the Al-Aqsa Intifada, including the operation to capture the soldier Gilad Shalit in 2006.

- He assumed command of a battalion in Rafah Brigade, and later was appointed responsible for the brigade succeeding Ra'id al-Attar, who was assassinated by Israel in mid-2014.

- He held membership in the General Military Council of Al-Qassam Brigades, until Israel announced his assassination alongside Muhammad al-Sinwar in May 2025.

** Hukm al-Issa, Commander of the Weapons Branch

- Founder and director of the military training system in Qassam.

- His military nickname is "Abu Omar al-Suri" and he arrived in Gaza Strip from Syria after Israel's withdrawal from Gaza in 2005.

- Participated in transferring military expertise from abroad to inside Gaza Strip.

- He founded the military academy affiliated with Al-Qassam Brigades, which was established in 2010, and directly supervised the military curricula.

- He oversaw the development of defensive plans for Al-Qassam Brigades, and contributed to building the technical and structural infrastructure of the brigades.

- Israel killed him in an airstrike on Gaza City in June 2025 along with his wife and a number of his children.

** Ra'id Saad, Commander of the Manufacturing Branch

- Born on August 15, 1972 in Gaza City, and he is from the first generation of Qassam leaders since the Second Palestinian Intifada in 2000.

- He held membership in the Military Council of Al-Qassam Brigades during that period since 2003, and was known for his closeness to the General Commander Muhammad al-Deif in previous periods.

- He was subjected to several assassination attempts in recent years, most notably in 2006, when the Israeli Air Force targeted a meeting of the Military Council of Al-Qassam Brigades, but he survived the raid.

- He has been one of Israel's most wanted for years.

- During his career, he held multiple leadership positions, most notably commander of Gaza City Brigade, before later assuming command of military manufacturing in Al-Qassam Brigades, according to local media.

- He held the position of Commander of the Operations Branch in the General Military Council, before these tasks were later assigned to Muhammad al-Sinwar, while Saad remained one of the most important military leaders within the military and organizational structure of the movement.

- After the cessation of the Israeli war, Saad held membership in the new Military Council as part of Qassam's efforts to reorganize its ranks, where he manages military operations, and is seen as the second man in the leadership after Izz al-Din al-Haddad.

- He is considered the oldest, most experienced, and senior among the current military leaders, and one of the most knowledgeable about the history and details of the military work of Al-Qassam Brigades.

- Israel assassinated him on December 13 of this year by bombing his car in Gaza City.

** Hudhaifa al-Kahlout (Abu Ubaida)

- His name and image remained hidden for two decades, but he became the voice of resistance and the media face of Qassam.

- He led the media system, and conveyed the developments of the "Al-Aqsa Flood" operation to the world, and he is a prominent media symbol during all military confrontations with Israel.

- Born in 1984 in Jabalia camp in northern Gaza Strip, and joined Hamas and its brigades since the Second Intifada in 2000, and obtained a master's degree in Quranic interpretation.

- His name is linked to prominent military announcements, including the capture of the Israeli soldiers Gilad Shalit in 2006, and Shaul Aaron in 2014.

- Abu Ubaida emerged media-wise for the first time in October 2004, during the "Days of Wrath" battle that lasted 17 days, where he held the first press conference for Al-Qassam Brigades, announcing the progress of confrontations against the Israeli invasion in northern Sector.

- He appeared in the recent rounds of fighting displaying samples of locally manufactured weapons and remains of destroyed Israeli vehicles.

- His last appearance was on July 18, 2025, where he said that Palestinian factions are ready to wage a "long attrition battle" against Israel.

- Israel assassinated him on August 30, 2025.