"We mourn the head of the Hamas politburo, Commander Yahya Sinwar," the representative of the movement said, adding that Sinwar died in battle.
Hamas will release the hostages only after the end of the Israeli aggression against the Gaza Strip and the withdrawal of the Israeli troops, Khalil al-Hayya said.
Earlier today, Israel Defense Forces (IDF) spokeswoman Anna Ukolova told Sputnik that Sinwar was eliminated in tank fire.
"Soldiers were on a mission and encountered three terrorists. A shootout began. One of them went into another building. A drone found him, and then a tank fired at the building. During the clearing of the area and inspection of the building, the military found a body, which they identified as Sinwar's," Ukolova said.