How are red heifers related to the Oct. 7 attack?

Abu Ubaida, spokesperson for the Al-Qassam Brigades, delivered a recorded statement marking the 100th day of the "Al-Aqsa Flood" (the Oct. 7 attack), his first visual appearance since November 23rd of the previous year.

Abu Ubaida claimed Israel destroyed most mosques in the Gaza Strip, considering it a clear religious war.

The narrative tied the outbreak of the Al-Aqsa Flood to the arrival of five red heifers in Israel from Texas, emphasizing their significance in Jewish rituals.

In 2022, Red heifers from Texas were flown into Israel as a way to fulfill an ancient Jewish prophecy and are expected to play a significant role in Jewish rituals. The heifers are housed at a secret farm near Beit She'an.

The attainment of ritual purity through the ashes of a red heifer is a crucial prerequisite for participation in Temple service. In modern times, individuals within the Jewish community, desiring biblical ritual purity and looking ahead to the construction of the Third Temple, have made efforts to locate a red heifer and replicate the associated ritual.

It’s alleged that the arrival of the red heifers and subsequent events indicate an impending attempt to destroy Al-Aqsa Mosque to build a third temple.

After the arrival of the red heifers, Hamas warned that rituals involving the heifers threatened the Al-Aqsa Mosque. It’s alleged that the arrival of the red heifers and subsequent events indicate an impending attempt to destroy Al-Aqsa Mosque to build a third temple.

Arab-language media extensively covered the angle of the red heifers playing a role in the conflict.

In his speech, Abu Ubaida recounted the achievements of the Qassam Brigades and Palestinian resistance, emphasizing the battle as a turning point in Palestinian history and calling it one of the greatest and holiest battles.

He accused Israel of committing massacres that "shame humanity" and called upon global justice to disarm the occupation and bring its leaders to justice.

The Israeli military claimed to have revealed the true identity of Abu Ubaida as Hudaifa Kahalut.

The Israeli military is reportedly interested in Abu Ubaida's eye condition, speculating on whether he was injured or had an infection.