The Israeli military says it is “checking the possibility” it has killed Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar.
Sinwar has led Hamas within Gaza since 2017, having joined its ranks in the early 1980s.
He is believed to be the mastermind of the 7 October attacks.
The 62-year-old took over full leadership of Hamas after the killing of Ismail Haniyeh, who was the political leader of the group, in Iran in July.
If his death is confirmed, it will mean Israel has killed its main target since it began strikes and ground invasions in Gaza following the Hamas attack last year.
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“During IDF operations in Gaza, three terrorists were eliminated,” it said in a statement.
“The IDF and ISA are checking the possibility that one of the terrorists was Yahya Sinwar. At this stage, the identity of the terrorists cannot be confirmed.
“In the building where the terrorists were eliminated, there were no signs of hostages in the area.
“The forces that are operating in the area are continuing to operate with required caution.”
It come as photographs have been circulating on social media today which claim to show Sinwar’s dead body.
The images have not been independently verified.
Sky News Middle East correspondent says Sinwar has “presumably” been hiding underground in the network of tunnels beneath Gaza since the Hamas incursion into Israel.
Read more:
Who is Yahya Sinwar?
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