The IDF and Shin Bet carried out an operation overnight (Wednesday to Thursday) in northern Gaza, successfully eliminating Abd al-Latif Rajab Jumaa Qanou, the spokesman for the Hamas terror organization. For years, Qanou was one of Hamas’ key spokesmen, using media channels to spread propaganda, incitement, and psychological terror.
Spreading Lies and Legitimizing False Narratives
Abd al-Latif Qanou was a central figure in Hamas’ propaganda machine. During his tenure, he disseminated falsehoods and legitimized deceptive narratives about the organization’s actions. He used media outlets to incite terror attacks, promote Hamas’ murderous agenda, and spread misinformation about conditions in Gaza and the ongoing conflict against Israel.
Qanou was not just a spokesperson but was also actively involved in Hamas’ military wing. In recent years, he played a key role in pushing the terror organization’s narrative advocating for the destruction of Israel, relentlessly working to spread its ideology and murderous slogans.
The IDF stated: “The IDF and Shin Bet will continue to act to dismantle Hamas’ governmental and military capabilities.
Qanou is the latest in a series of significant eliminations carried out by the IDF since the fighting resumed in Gaza following Hamas intransigence on a hostage deal. Earlier this week, the IDF and the IAS (Shin Bet) eliminated terrorist Hossam Basel Abd al-Karim Shabat, a sniper operative in Hamas’s Beit Hanoun Battalion, who also worked as a journalist for the Qatari media network Al Jazeera.
The IDF and Shin Bet have attacked hundreds of terrorist targets and operatives across the Gaza Strip in recent days, using fighter jets and aircraft, with the aim of damaging the military capabilities of the Hamas terrorist organization and removing threats to Israeli civilians and IDF forces.
Two Other Hamas Commanders Recently Eliminated
The deputy commander of the Gaza Brigade, terrorist Ahmad Salman Awj Shimali, and the commander of the Sheja’iya Battalion, terrorist Jamil Omar Jamil Wadiya, were eliminated.
Shimali was responsible for operations and had been in charge of planning the brigade’s offensive strategy and force-building in preparation of Hamas’ brutal massacres on October 7. During the war, he was responsible for the deployment of forces and the operational readiness of the Gaza Brigade against IDF troops in the area.
Wadiya had led the battalion for most of the war after replacing terrorist Wissam Farhat, who was eliminated in December 2023. Wadiya was responsible for directing the battalion’s forces against the IDF and worked on rebuilding and reorganizing the unit. Furthermore, Wadiya was involved in the anti-tank missile attack on a school bus in April 2011, which resulted in the death of sixteen year old Daniel Viflic.
With the elimination of Abd al-Latif al-Qanou last night, the number of senior members of Hamas’ political bureau eliminated since the beginning of “Operation Strength and Sword” has risen to nine.
