The official spokesperson for Hamas, Abdel-Latif al-Qanou, was killed early Thursday in an Israeli airstrike following an attack on a camp for displaced Palestinians in Jabalia, northern Gaza.
Hamas confirmed his death in a statement via Telegram, describing him as a symbol of “steadfastness and dedication” to the Palestinian cause.
The group accused Israel of deliberately targeting him, emphasizing that such actions would not weaken their resolve.
“The occupation’s targeting of the movement’s leaders and spokespeople will not break our will; rather, it will only increase our determination to continue on the path until the liberation of the land and the holy sites. The blood of the martyrs will remain the fuel and inspiration for the resistance until victory,” the statement read.
Al-Qanou played a key role in communicating updates on ceasefire negotiations involving Israel, Hamas, and mediators such as Egypt and Qatar.
As recently as Tuesday, he had spoken to Al-Araby Al-Jadeed, reaffirming Hamas’ willingness to explore new proposals—provided Israel upheld the ceasefire terms.
Last week, he dismissed claims from U.S. Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff that Hamas sought to govern post-war Gaza, stressing that the group remained “open to any arrangements” regarding the enclave’s future leadership.
Born in 1981 in Jabalia, al-Qanou became involved with Hamas during the Second Intifada while still in high school.
After completing his university education, he worked in the group’s media operations for nearly a decade before being appointed as its official spokesperson in 2016.
His death comes amid intensified Israeli airstrikes across Gaza on Thursday, which also claimed the lives of a family of six, as part of the ongoing military campaign.
Growing Protests in Gaza Against War and Hamas Rule
For the second consecutive day, Palestinian protesters gathered in northern Gaza, calling for an end to the war and demanding that Hamas step down from governing the enclave.
Demonstrations took place in Jabalia, Beit Lahia, and Gaza City’s Shujaiya neighborhood.
Verified videos circulating online showed growing unrest on Tuesday, while Wednesday’s protests appeared more organized.
Protesters carried banners with messages like, “The blood of our children is not cheap, yes to stopping the war.”
After nearly 16 months of relentless conflict, many Gazans are exhausted by daily bombings, displacement, food shortages, and the loss of loved ones.
Hopes for a lasting ceasefire remain dim, as Israel continues to resist moving into the next phase of truce discussions.
Hamas, despite expressing willingness to limit its role in Gaza’s governance, has yet to finalize an agreement with mediators.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reportedly stated that the protests “show that our policy has worked.”
The official Israeli government account on X echoed this sentiment, highlighting the demonstrations as evidence of rising discontent against Hamas.
Israel’s Foreign Minister, Israel Katz, also posted a video on X, warning Palestinians that “Hamas is putting your lives at risk, causing you to lose homes,” and announcing that the Israeli military would “soon operate with full force in additional areas of Gaza.”
Amid the escalating violence, Egyptian officials have reportedly put forward a new ceasefire proposal.
According to sources cited by The Times of Israel, the plan would involve Hamas releasing five living Israeli hostages on the first day of the truce, with additional releases occurring every seven to ten days.
In exchange, Israeli forces would withdraw to a buffer zone near Gaza’s border, similar to their positioning during the first phase of the ceasefire.
Further negotiations could then take place to determine their complete withdrawal from the area.
Israeli troops have remained stationed along the buffer zone and the Philadelphi Corridor, bordering Egypt, since their offensive in Rafah in May 2024, despite Cairo’s repeated demands for their removal.
The proposal also includes provisions for a second phase of the ceasefire, which Israel has so far refused to implement despite previously agreeing to its framework.
Israeli negotiating teams have made multiple trips to Cairo over the past two weeks to discuss the plan, but a final resolution remains uncertain.
