The comfirmation came for Hamas  armed wing, the al-Qassam Brigades, Reuters reported.

In August, the Israeli military announced it had killed Deif in an airstrike in Gaza s Khan Younis area.

Deif and Issa, who Israel also announced it killed in March, were believed to have masterminded Hamas  Oct. 7, 2023, attack on southern Israel that triggered the war in Gaza.

Deif was an elusive figure who had a long and secretive career in the Palestinian group and had been sought by Israel for decades.

Al-Qassam Brigades also announced the death of other three senior members of its general military council, the group s spokesperson Abu Ubaida said in a recorded speech.