The Israeli military on Sunday confirmed that it has located and identified the body of Mohammed Sinwar, a top Hamas commander and the presumed head of the group’s operations in Gaza, nearly three weeks after an Israeli airstrike targeted him.

According to the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), Sinwar was “eliminated” during an air raid on May 13, alongside several other militants. His body was recovered and positively identified in recent days, following ongoing military operations in southern Gaza.

Sinwar was believed to be one of the key figures directing Hamas’s military activities, particularly in the wake of intensified fighting in the Gaza Strip. His death marks a significant blow to the group’s leadership in the region.

Also confirmed dead at the same site was Mohammad Shabana, the commander of Hamas’s Rafah Brigade. The army noted that additional bodies were found and are still undergoing identification.

The discovery comes amid continued Israeli operations in southern Gaza, where IDF forces have intensified strikes and ground raids targeting Hamas infrastructure and personnel.

Israel has accused Sinwar and other senior Hamas leaders of orchestrating attacks against Israeli civilians and military personnel since the conflict escalated last year.

There has been no immediate response from Hamas regarding the confirmation of Sinwar’s death.