Israel claimed it killed an iconic Hamas spokesman in a Gaza City airstrike, and said more such blows would follow if a sweep of the Palestinian Islamist faction’s last stronghold goes ahead as planned.

Hamas hasn’t commented on the condition or whereabouts of Abu Obeida since Saturday’s attack, which it said inflicted dozens of casualties in the al-Rimal neighborhood as part of an attempt to prompt an exodus of civilians.

Abu Obeida — whose real name is Hudahaifa Kahlout, according to the Israel Defense Forces — had become been the masked face of Hamas’ armed wing, making televised appearances with only his eyes visible behind a keffiyeh, the traditional headdress worn by Arab men. During the almost two-year-old war with Israel, many Palestinians looked to him for updates on the fightin

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