Yahya Sinwar, leader of Hamas, killed by Israeli forces in Gaza

Israel’s foreign minister, Israel Katz, said Sinwar’s killing was a “significant military and moral achievement”.

Yoav Gallant, the defence minister, said Sinwar “joins a long series of eliminations”.

“Sinwar died while beaten, persecuted and on the run – he didn’t die as a commander, but as someone who only cared for himself.

“This is a clear message to all of our enemies.”

Hamas has yet to comment on Sinwar’s killing, and there is no indication of who will take his place.

Iran backs Hamas with funding, weapons and training. The country’s mission to the UN posted on X that the killing of Sinwar would lead to the strengthening of “the spirit of resistance”.

“He will become a model for the youth and children who will carry forward his path toward the liberation of Palestine,” the mission said.

US President Joe Biden congratulated Netanyahu in a phone call with the Israeli leader, saying it was “a good day for Israel, for the United States and for the world”.

He added that the death of Sinwar proved “once again that no terrorists anywhere in the world can escape justice”.

Former CIA director David Petraeus told BBC Radio 4 that Sinwar’s death was “bigger” than Osama Bin Laden’s in 2012 – “both hugely symbolic… but also hugely operational” as Sinwar was the overall leader of Hamas.

Israel’s stated aim for entering Gaza in the wake of the 7 October attack was to destroy Hamas.

Sir John Sawers, who headed up the UK’s foreign intelligence service MI6 from 2009 to 2014, said Netanyahu would now want to “press home” his advantage.

He told BBC Radio 4’s World Tonight programme: “Netanyahu at the moment feels he has a real advantage over not just Hamas but Hezbollah and Iran itself is on the back foot.

“And I think his instinct will be to press home that advantage.”

Sir John said he suspected the Israeli PM would seek to achieve most of the country’s military goals before the next US president is inaugurated in January.