Hamas confirms death of Gaza chief Mohammed Sinwar

Hamas on Sunday confirmed the death of Mohammed Sinwar, its presumed leader in Gaza, more than three months after Israel said it had killed him in an air strike.

Pictures released by the Palestinian Islamist group on Saturday showed him alongside other political and military leaders described as "martyrs of the military council".

Mohammed Sinwar was the younger brother of Yahya Sinwar, accused by Israel of masterminding the 7 October, 2023 attack on Israel that sparked the ongoing war in the Gaza Strip.

Hamas's October 2023 attack on southern Israel resulted in the deaths of 1,219 people, mostly civilians, according to an AFP tally based on Israeli figures.

Of the 251 captive seized during the attack, 47 are still being held in Gaza, around 20 of whom are believed to be alive.

He reportedly led the Al-Qassam Brigades' military council after the death of commander Mohammed Deif.

Israel said it had identified Mohammed Sinwar's body in June in a tunnel beneath the European Hospital in Khan Younis, central Gaza. The military said it had "eliminated" him on 13 May.

Separately, on Sunday, Israel said it had killed the Al-Qassam Brigades' spokesperson Abu Obeida in an airstrike, although this has yet to be confirmed by Hamas.

Israel's offensive has killed at least 63,459 Palestinians and wounded a further 160,256. It's war has left the enclave uninhabitable, with the UN saying last week that Gaza City was now under famine.