TEHRAN - The Israeli regime says it has managed to murder Hamas Leader Yahya Sinwar in southern Gaza.

Israeli media outlets have published graphic video and photos of a deceased man lying in rubble in a building in Tel Sultan, a neighbourhood of Gaza’s southernmost town. The deceased man who resembles Sinwar appears to have two head injuries and one leg injury.

Israel said it found the body on Thursday and was able to confirm its identity through a DNA test hours later.

Hebrew media also announced that Sinwar was killed "by chance" and not through a targeted assassination.

The circumstances of Sinwar's alleged death appear to contradict previous Israeli claims. Israeli officials had previously stated that Sinwar was located in an underground tunnel, holding Israeli hostages, and wearing explosives to prevent Israeli military action. However, it seems that Sinwar was actually engaged in ground combat alongside other Hamas fighters.

While Hamas has yet to comment on Sinwar's whereabouts, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced the regime had managed to kill him in a video message. Netanyahu reportedly also talked to U.S. President Joe Biden on the phone about the martyrdom of Sinwar.

Sinwar, who became Hamas' political chief after Israel's assassination of Ismail Haniyeh on July 31, is believed to be the mastermind behind Operation Al-Aqsa Storm.