Hamas spokesperson Abdel-Latif Al-Qanoua was killed in an Israeli airstrike in northern Gaza, according to Hamas-affiliated media reports on Thursday. The attack, which targeted his tent in Jabalia, also wounded several others. Separate strikes killed at least six people in Gaza City and one in Khan Younis, medical sources said.
Al-Qanoua is the latest high-profile Hamas figure to be killed since Israel resumed operations in Gaza. Earlier this week, Israeli forces killed Ismail Barhoum and Salah al-Bardaweel, both senior members of Hamas’ political office. Since the war began in late 2023, 11 of Hamas’ 20-member decision-making body have been killed, according to Hamas sources.
Israel resumed major military operations last week after a two-month ceasefire collapsed, with both Israel and Hamas accusing each other of violating the truce. Since March 18, at least 830 people, over half of them women and children, have been killed in the renewed Israeli strikes, according to Gaza’s health ministry.
Hamas continues to hold 59 of the approximately 250 hostages taken during its October 7, 2023, attack on Israel. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu defended the latest strikes, saying Hamas had rejected proposals for a ceasefire extension. He warned that Israel could seize territory in Gaza if Hamas does not release the remaining hostages.
Melissa Enoch
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