Hamas Spokesman Abdel Latif al-Qanou Killed in Israeli Airstrike in Gaza

Abdel Latif al-Qanou, a senior spokesman for the Palestinian militant group Hamas, was reportedly killed in an Israeli airstrike in northern Gaza on Wednesday night. According to reports from Hamas-affiliated Shehab news agency, al-Qanou was targeted in the Jabaliya region, which has been a focal point of Israeli military operations since the resumption of fighting in late 2023.

Al-Qanou, born on April 24, 1981, in Jabaliya, was a prominent figure within Hamas’s media division and had served as the group’s primary spokesperson since 2016. Prior to this role, he was the media director for Hamas offices in northern Gaza. He also held a doctorate in preaching and media from the University of Tripoli in Lebanon, a reflection of his significant academic and professional standing.

His death follows the recent killings of other senior Hamas leaders, including Ismail Barhoum and Salah al-Bardaweel, who were members of the group’s 20-member political office. According to sources within Hamas, al-Qanou’s death marks the 11th high-ranking member of Hamas to be killed in the ongoing conflict.

Although the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) have not yet commented on the reported killing of al-Qanou, the Israeli military has continued operations in several key areas of Gaza, including Jabaliya, Khan Yunis, Beit Lahia, and Beit Hanoun. Since the fighting resumed last week, Israeli forces have reportedly killed 150 Hamas militants, including 10 senior officials.

The ongoing conflict has seen an escalation in Israeli airstrikes targeting Hamas leaders and infrastructure in Gaza, while Hamas has launched rocket attacks into Israel in retaliation. As the war continues, both sides remain locked in a violent and deadly confrontation, with the toll on civilians growing by the day.