A TOP political leader of Hamas, Khalil al-Hayya, confirmed today that the group’s leader, Yahya Sinwar had been “martyred” after being killed by the Israelis.

Mr Sinwar, top of Israel’s most wanted list, became Hamas’s political chief on July 31 when he succeeded Ismail Haniyeh who was assassinated in an Israeli attack in Tehran on July 31.

In a televised statement Mr Hayya spoke of Mr Sinwar as “the fallen martyr,” who “met his end standing brave, with his head held high, holding his firearm, firing until the last breath, until the last moment of his life.”

Mr Hayya said Hamas would not release any of the hostages taken on October 7 until there was “a complete withdrawal from Gaza, and our prisoners are released from the prisons.

“Hamas will continue until the establishment of the Palestinian state on all Palestinian soil with Jerusalem as its capital.”

Israel has pledged to destroy Hamas politically in Gaza, and killing Mr Sinwar, who was considered the chief architect of the October 7 attack, was a top military priority.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in a speech announcing the killing Thursday night that “our war is not yet ended.”

In Israel, families of hostages still held in Gaza demanded the Israeli government use Mr Sinwar’s killing as a way to restart negotiations to bring home their loved ones. 

Ronen Neutra, father of one of the hostages, said: “Sinwar, who was described as a major obstacle to a deal, is no longer alive.”

Iran’s mission to the United Nations issued a statement honouring Mr Sinwar, saying: “When United States forces dragged a dishevelled Saddam Hussein out of an underground hole, he begged them not to kill him despite being armed. 

“However when Muslims look up to martyr Sinwar standing on the battlefield in combat attire and out in the open, not in a hideout, facing the enemy, the spirit of resistance will be strengthened.”

Meanwhile in the al-Fakhoura area in Jabalia, at least three Palestinians have been killed during fresh Israeli air raids.

Casualties have also been reported in an Israeli attack on a house near Nassar roundabout in the Jabalia refugee camp.

In Lebanon, Hezbollah issued a statement today saying its fighters have used new types of precision-guided missiles and explosive drones against Israel for the first time in recent days.

Hezbollah said its fighters were working according to “plans prepared in advance” against the invading Israeli troops. 

It also announced several missile and artillery attacks on Israeli forces operating in villages in southern Lebanon’s border area overnight and today morning.