Israel looking into whether Hamas leader al-Sinwar killed in Gaza

The Israeli army says it is looking into whether Hamas leader Yehya al-Sinwar has been killed in a military operation in Gaza.

"During IDF operations in the Gaza Strip, three terrorists were eliminated," the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said in a statement on Thursday.

"The IDF and ISA [Israeli Security Agency] are checking the possibility that one of the terrorists was Yehya al-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 the presence of hostages in the area. The forces that are operating in the area are continuing to operate with the required caution."

It comes after images circulated on social media showing a dead body resembling al-Sinwar.

The Hamas chief is considered to be the mastermind behind the October 7, 2023, attacks which triggered the current Gaza war.