Israel
Hamas confirms death of senior spokesman in Jabalia strike
The IDF is yet to confirm the demise of Abdul Latif al-Qanou, who was reportedly living in the nearby refugee camp
March 27, 2025 10:47
The IDF is yet to confirm the demise of Abdul Latif al-Qanou, who was reportedly living in the nearby refugee camp
March 27, 2025 10:47Senior Hamas spokesperson Abdul Latif al-Qanou was killed in an Israeli airstrike in the Jabalia area of northern Gaza overnight, according to the terror group.
Al-Qanou was regarded as one of Hamas's key public relations figures, speaking on behalf of the group’s political wing while his counterpart Abu Obeida handled the military wing.
He was believed to have had close ties with Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar, who was killed by Israeli forces in October last year.
After maintaining a low profile during the early stages of the conflict, he resumed media appearances during the ceasefire, continuing to act as a spokesperson in Arabic-language outlets.
Reports suggest that Al-Qanou had been living in a tent in the Jabalia refugee camp before the strike. Several other people were injured in the attack, according to the Hamas-controlled Al-Aqsa news channel.
The IDF is yet to confirm his death or comment on the strike.
However, if confirmed, he would be the latest in a string of senior Hamas officials killed since the collapse of the Gaza ceasefire last week.
They reportedly include Mahmoud Abu Watfa, who headed the interior ministry, justice ministry director-general Ahmad Al-Khatta and two members of the Hamas political bureau – Abu Ubaida Al-Jamassi and Issam Da’alis (though separate reports of the latter’s death have circulated for months)
The strikes come amid a renewal of rocket salvos between Israel and its regional foes, with fire exchanged with Gaza, southern Lebanon, Yemen and Syria.
Dozens of rockets aimed at Israeli population centres were intercepted by the Iron Dome this week, though shrapnel did fall on some smaller cities.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Netanyahu echoed the threats from several of his ministers that the IDF will begin to occupy parts of Gaza if Hamas fails to release its remaining hostages imminently.
Netanyahu did not outline what his pledge to “seize territory” would mean in practical terms, but Defence Minister Israel Katz has previously suggested that this would involve a exponential occupation and annexation of land in the Strip.