ISLAMABAD (PEN) : Abdel Latif al-Qanou, a prominent spokesperson for Hamas, was reportedly killed in an Israeli airstrike in northern Gaza, according to Hamas-affiliated media sources. The attack took place on Wednesday night in the Jabaliya area, as confirmed by Hamas-run Al-Aqsa television. Several others were also reported to have been wounded in the strike.
Al-Qanou’s Role and Background
Al-Qanou, born in Jabaliya on April 24, 1981, had served as Hamas’s spokesperson since 2016. He was a key media figure within the organization and had been instrumental in communicating its messages to the public. Al-Qanou’s previous roles included serving as the media director for Hamas’s offices in northern Gaza. He pursued higher education at the Islamic University of Gaza before obtaining a doctorate in preaching and media from the University of Tripoli in Lebanon in 2019.
Affiliated with Hamas since the Second Intifada in 2000, al-Qanou was considered a significant figure in the organization’s political and media operations.
Recent Deaths of Hamas Officials
Al-Qanou’s death follows a series of high-profile killings within Hamas, including senior figures such as Ismail Barhoum and Salah al-Bardaweel, both of whom were members of Hamas’s political office. Reports from Hamas indicate that 11 of its senior officials have been killed since the resumption of fighting in late 2023.
Ongoing Israeli Military Operations
While the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) has not officially commented on the airstrike that reportedly killed al-Qanou, Israeli military operations have continued in several key areas of Gaza. The IDF has reported that, since the fighting resumed last week, it has killed 150 Hamas militants, including 10 senior officials.
Israeli forces have been actively engaged in operations across Gaza, particularly in areas like Jabaliya, Khan Yunis, Beit Lahia, and Beit Hanoun, as part of their broader efforts to weaken Hamas’s military and political infrastructure.
The situation in Gaza remains tense, with continued military activity and casualties reported on both sides.
