Abu Ubaida is a nom de guerre for the longtime propagandist and spokesman of Hamas’ military wing, the Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades.
After Hamas’s terror attack on October 7, when the group massacred around 1,200 people and took another 240 hostage, he appeared in propaganda videos, his face concealed by a red keffiyeh scarf. Little is known about him but his real name is thought to be Hudhayfah Kahlot.
When the Israelis launched their attacks in Gaza, he threatened the execution of a captive each time a home in Gaza was bombed without warning.
Photos showed the little boy, named Omar, standing beside the cake with his finger raised.
He was dressed in a red and white headscarf and a camouflaged jacket, just like the image of Abu Ubaida on the cake. The Hamas spokesman also appeared on a tray of cupcakes made for the birthday party.
“Dressing up a child as a terrorist, including with what appears to be a Hamas headband, is reprehensible and a form of child abuse,” said Robert Gregory, the chief executive of the Australian Jewish Association.
“Islamic extremism and radicalisation of youth is not just a problem for the Jewish community. It’s a threat to all Australians.
“Australia has seen several recent incidents of Muslim youth allegedly stabbing or plotting to attack other Australians. Indoctrination starts at a young age and is similar to what is seen across the Middle East.”