Hamas calls for absentee funerals for its killed senior commanders Hamas has called on Palestinians and Muslims worldwide to perform funeral prayers for several senior commanders of its armed wing, the Qassam Brigades, killed during Israel’s war on Gaza. In a statement posted on its Telegram channel, the group named Mohammed Sinwar, its chief of staff and de facto leader following the killing of Mohammed Deif; Mohammed Shabanah, commander of the Rafah Brigade; Hikmat al-Essa, who oversaw weapons and combat services units; and Raed Saad, commander of the manufacturing unit. Hamas also named Huthaifa al-Kahlout, a former spokesperson for the brigades known as Abu Obeida, whose real identity and death the group confirmed earlier this week.