Palestinians in the enclave were divided over whether the death of Yahya Sinwar, if confirmed, would bring the war in Gaza closer to an end.

Hamas has confirmed the death of its political chief Yahya Sinwar, one of the architects of the October 7 attack.

The Palestinian militant group Hamas will likely replace Yahya Sinwar with a new political leader based outside Gaza while his brother - Mohammad Sinwar - is expected to assume a bigger role directing the war against Israel in the territory,

Many Israelis cheered and danced on the streets at the news that Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar - chief architect of the 7 October 2023 attack on Israel - had been killed. But his death at the hands of Israeli forces in Gaza on Wednesday has raised anxieties for families of the 101 hostages still held by Hamas.

Lebanon's Hezbollah militant group said on Friday it was moving to a new and escalating phase in its war against Israel while Iran said "the spirit of resistance will be strengthened" after the killing of Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar.

Hamas is likely to name Qatar-based Khalil al-Hayya as a successor to slain leader Yayha Sinwar, aligning it closer to Iran and giving its main backer more sway in the next stage of the group’s war with Israel.

Hamas confirmed Friday that its leader, Yahya Sinwar, was killed by Israeli forces in Gaza and reiterated its stance that hostages the militant group took from Israel a year ago will not be released until there is a cease-fire in Gaza and a withdrawal of Israeli troops.