as I understand it, the houri is female, at least in the context. Here's some gems from an islamic website I saw today ...
http://www.masmn.org/Hadith/Riyad_Us_Saliheen/11_0234.htm
"Verily, Allah has purchased of the believers their lives and their properties for (the price) that theirs shall be the Jannah. They fight in Allah's Cause, so they kill (others) and are killed. It is a promise in truth which is binding on Him in the Taurat (Torah) and the Injeel (Gospel) and the Qur'an. And who is truer to his covenant than Allah? Then rejoice in the bargain which you have concluded. That is the supreme success.'' (9:111)
Commentary: Good deeds of a Muslim who dies or is martyred on the frontier will perpetuate and will be credited to his account till the Day of Resurrection; and like all other martyrs, sustenance will be provided to him even after his death. As Allah says: `Think not of those as dead who are killed in the way of Allah. Nay, they are alive, with their Rubb, and they have provision.'' (3:169)
1296. Muadh (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Prophet (PBUH) said, "Jannah becomes incumbent for a Muslim who fights for the Cause of Allah for a period as long as the time between two consecutive turns of milking a she-camel. He who receives a wound or a bruise in the Cause of Allah will appear on the Day of Resurrection as fresh as possible, its colour will be the colour of saffron and its fragrance will be that of musk.'' [At-Tirmidhi and Abu Dawud].
Commentary: "Fawaq'' is the period that intervenes between two consecutive turns of milking a she-camel. It is a very short interval and is an allusion to a very short period that one may spend in Jihad. Even Jihad for such a short time is so meritorious that his entitlement to Jannah is ensured by it, provided the Mujahid is sincere in his intention and his past conduct is free from major sins and encroachment on the rights of others.
1299. Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said, "The best life is that of the man who holds his horse's rein in Allah's way and flies on its back to the places from whence he hears a war cry or the clatter of arms,
seeking martyrdom or slaughter on the battlefield; or that of a person who goes to stay on the top of the hill or in a valley, and there he performs Salat (prayer), pays the Zakat and worships his Rubb till death overtakes him. He has no concern with the affairs of anyone except the doing of good.'' [Muslim].