Sinwar is Hamas’s most senior leader and is believed to be the mastermind behind the U.S.-designated terrorist group’s devastating Oct. 7, 2023, terrorist attack. Hamas militants killed roughly 1,200 people in southern Israel and kidnapped about 250 others.

The IDF also confirmed that there were no signs of hostages in the building where the strike took place. Forces in the area are continuing operations with necessary caution.

Lebanon's Hezbollah militant group said on Friday it was moving to a new and escalating phase in its war against Israel while Iran said "the spirit of resistance will be strengthened" after the killing of Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar.

Israel's military said Thursday it may have killed Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar. In short statement, Israel's Defense Forces said that during operations in the Gaza Strip it had killed three Hamas militants and it was investigating whether one of them was Sinwar.

The death of Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar is the heaviest blow the Islamic militant group has endured in a year of war in Gaza. Will it break the stalemate over a cease-fire with Israel?

The U.S. military said on Thursday its forces had no role in the Israeli operation that killed Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar, even if U.S. intelligence has contributed to Israel's understanding of Hamas leaders who took hostages last year.

The U.S. State Department says there's now a "path forward" for a cease-fire after the main obstacle, Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar, was killed.