The head of Hamas's military wing has been 'eliminated' in a massive air strike in Gaza, it was announced last night.
In a development which raised hopes of an end to the conflict, Israel's prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel had taken 'a dramatic turn toward the complete defeat of Hamas'.
Preventing Hamas from posing a military threat has repeatedly been offered by Israel as justification for its devastating bombing campaign of Palestinian territory.
There were hopes last night that the death of Mohammed Sinwar may encourage Israel to acknowledge that this aim had been met.
In recent weeks, Israel has come under mounting pressure to end its siege of Gaza, including from UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy.
