Israeli soldiers check whether Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar was killed in the attack on Gaza

Israel has killed several Hamas commanders in Gaza as well as senior Hezbollah figures in Lebanon, including veteran leader Hassan Nasrallah, dealing heavy blows to its arch-enemies.

Hamas has not commented on Sinwar’s fate.

If his death is confirmed, it will increase tensions in the Middle East, where fears of a wider conflict in the Middle East have grown as Israel plans its response to the October 1 missile attack carried out by Iran after Israeli airstrikes on militants allied to Iran.

Sinwar, who spent half his adult life in Israeli prisons, was the most powerful Hamas leader alive after Haniyeh’s assassination.

The 61-year-old, born in a refugee camp in the southern Gaza town of Khan Younis, was elected leader of Hamas in Gaza in 2017 after building a reputation as a ruthless enforcer among Palestinians and an implacable enemy of Israel.

Sinwar is regarded by Arab and Palestinian officials as the architect of Hamas’ strategy and military capabilities, boosted by his strong ties with Iran.