Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the evil had "suffered a heavy blow" but warned that Israel's task was "not complete".

He said Israel has fulfilled its promise to eliminate the Hamas leader.

Addressing the families of the hostages, he said that this was "an important moment in the war".

 "Today evil suffered a heavy blow, but the task before us is not yet finished. We will continue with all our strength until the return to the homes of your loved ones", he declared.

He also had a message for the people of Gaza saying: "Sinwar has ruined their lives. He said he was a lion but he was actually hiding in a dark den and he was killed while running away from our panicked soldiers. "

Israel's President Isaac Herzog praised the military, the Shin Bet security agency and other security services for eliminating Yahya Sinwar.

Describing him as "the mastermind of the deadly October 7 attack," Herzog said Sinwar was "responsible for the horrific acts of terrorism against Israeli civilians, citizens of other countries, and the killing of thousands of innocent people."

"Now, more than ever, we must act in every way possible to return the 101 hostages still being held by Hamas terrorists in appalling conditions in Gaza," he noted.

Meanwhile, Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant said that Israel has brought justice to its citizens.

"Sinwar died being pursued - he didn't die as a commander but as someone who only cared about himself," he said.