The Hamas movement has called on Palestinians and Muslims around the world to perform absentee funeral prayers for several senior commanders of its armed wing, the al-Qassam Brigades, who were martyred during Israel’s genocidal war on the Gaza Strip.

In a statement published on its official Telegram channel, Hamas announced the names of the commanders, describing them as figures who played central roles in the organization’s military structure and resistance efforts. The group said the prayers are a means for the wider Muslim community to honor those it considers martyrs of the Gaza conflict.

Among those named was Mohammed Sinwar, identified as the chief of staff of the al-Qassam Brigades and the de facto leader of the armed wing following the martyrdom of longtime commander Mohammed Deif. Hamas also announced the death of Mohammed Shabanah, commander of the Rafah Brigade, a key formation operating in southern Gaza.

The statement further named Hikmat al-Essa, who was responsible for overseeing weapons development and combat support units, and Raed Saad, commander of the brigades’ manufacturing unit, which Hamas says played a vital role in sustaining resistance capabilities under siege.

Hamas also confirmed the death of Huthaifa al-Kahlout, a former spokesperson for the al-Qassam Brigades widely known by the nom de guerre Abu Obeida. The group said it had confirmed his real identity and death earlier this week, marking a rare public acknowledgment regarding a figure whose identity had long remained undisclosed.

In its message, Hamas framed the call for absentee funeral prayers as part of a broader appeal for solidarity with Gaza, where Israel’s military campaign has devastated civilian infrastructure, displaced the vast majority of the population, and pushed the territory’s humanitarian and health systems to the brink of collapse.

The movement urged mosques and communities across Palestine and the Muslim world to hold the prayers simultaneously, emphasizing what it described as the religious and moral duty to stand with Gaza amid what it called an ongoing assault and blockade.

The announcement comes as Israel’s war on Gaza continues to exact a heavy toll, with tens of thousands killed, widespread destruction of neighborhoods, and growing international concern over the humanitarian catastrophe facing the besieged enclave. (ILKHA)