The recent assassination of Ismail Haniyeh, leader of Hamas's political wing, has stalled negotiations for a ceasefire that would have brought home hostages held in Gaza.
The Israeli military said it killed Muhammad Deif, believed to be one of the masterminds of the Oct. 7 attack on Israel, making him the third Iranian-backed militant leader killed in recent days.
Mr Deif survived several previous assassination attempts by Israel and was Hamas's No. 2 leader in Gaza. Israel said it killed him in an attack last month in southern Gaza.