Well-known Hamas spokesman al-Qanou killed in IDF airstrike in northern Gaza

One of Hamas' most visible spokesmen in recent months, Abd al-Latif al-Qanou, was eliminated in an Israeli airstrike in Jabaliya on Thursday morning.

Hamas confirmed earlier reports in a statement, saying Qanou was killed in a tent compound in the northern Gaza Strip, "where he had been staying since the beginning of the Israeli aggression until he was killed."

"The enemy's attack on the organization's leadership and its spokesmen will increase our insistence on continuing on the path until the liberation of the holy lands and places," the terror group declared.

According to the IDF, Qanou "served for years as one of Hamas' key spokesmen, spreading lies, inciting terrorist activities and systematically using media platforms for propaganda purposes, psychological terror and spreading false information."

🔴 ELIMINATED: Spokesperson of the Hamas Terrorist Organization

Abd al-Latif Rajab Jumaa Qanou, served for years as one of Hamas' key spokesmen, spreading lies, inciting terrorist activities and systematically using media platforms for propaganda purposes, psychological terror… pic.twitter.com/2AAMZqfJIn

— Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) March 27, 2025

Palestinian reports indicated that several others were injured in the airstrike.

Qanou was described by Israeli news site i24 as “an important media figure in Hamas, who was responsible for clarifying the vision and position of the terrorist group.”

After joining Hamas in 2000, Qanou became the group's spokesman in 2016.

"This is killing a symbol, he is the face of Hamas," a security official told the newspaper Maariv. "He was responsible for all of Hamas's psychological terrorism. He was responsible for organizing the propaganda, including the release of the hostages and the videos that were produced."

According to other reports, Qanou was close to the slain Hamas leader, Yahya Sinwar.

Qanou is just one of several prominent Hamas officials eliminated by Israel since military operations resumed in Gaza earlier this month.

Israeli security sources told Maariv that the assassinations dealt a surprising and significant blow to Hamas, serving – among other factors – as a catalyst for the recent protests by Gaza residents against the terror group.

On March 18, the day Israel resumed its military operation, the IDF killed Mahmoud Abu Watfa, director of Hamas’ Interior Ministry

Also killed was the head of Hamas’ internal security forces, Bahajat Abu Sultan.

On Sunday, Hamas' finance chief and new prime minister, Ismail Barhoum, was killed in a targeted strike at Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis.