Israel says Yahya Sinwar, Hamas' top leader in Gaza, killed in major blow to militant group

Israel's Foreign Minister Israel Katz said Thursday that Hamas' top leader and long-time commander in the Gaza Strip, Yahya Sinwar, was killed by troops during an operation in the decimated Palestinian territory.

In a message the Israeli government said was shared with dozens of other foreign ministers around the world, Katz said Sinwar, "who is responsible for the massacre and atrocities of October 7, was killed today by IDF soldiers."

"This is a great military and moral achievement for Israel and victory for the free world in everything against the evil axis of extreme Islam led by Iran," said Katz in the statement, sent to CBS News by the Israeli foreign ministry.