The Israel Defense Forces said Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar was killed on Wednesday after a “year-long pursuit", Paralel.Az reports citing CNN.

“In recent weeks, IDF and (Israeli Security Agency) forces, under the command of the Southern Command, have been operating in the southern Gaza Strip, following IDF and ISA intelligence that indicated the suspected locations of senior members of Hamas,” the IDF said in a statement released Thursday.

“IDF soldiers of the 828th Brigade (Bislach) operating in the area identified and eliminated three terrorists. After completing the process of identifying the body, it can be confirmed that Yahya Sinwar was eliminated,” it added.

Israeli forces encountered Sinwar during a routine military operation, two Israeli sources familiar with the matter told CNN earlier.