A Gaza influencer built a following with feel-good videos. Now he mourns his family
The Instagram influencer known as Kazanova built an audience of 440,000 followers with positive videos to lift spirits in Gaza. Most of his family was killed in an Israeli hostage rescue operation.
This story contains descriptions of graphic violence.
RAFAH, Gaza Strip — You could call him Gaza's Mr. Congeniality.
Social media influencer Ibrahim Hassouna, 30 — who goes by the nickname Kazanova — spent years building his Instagram audience of 440,000 followers by posting feel-good videos about his life in the Gaza Strip. Some would feature his mom.
"I tend to spread positive energy," Hassouna says. "But when the war started, there was no positive energy."
His darkest hour came on Feb. 12.
The Israeli military unleashed heavy bombings to provide cover for commandos during a successful . At least 74 Palestinians were killed in that bombing campaign, according to Gaza health officials.
