Israel confirms Hamas number 3 killed in March 9 airstrike

"The rest of the top leaders are in hiding, likely deep in the Hamas tunnel network, and justice will come for them too. We are helping to ensure that," added Sullivan.

Hamas had privately confirmed Issa's death, Palestinian sources told Kan News, adding that the top terrorist was hiding in a tunnel when he was killed and that his body was still buried beneath the rubble.

Issa was born in 1965 in the Al-Bureij refugee camp in central Gaza. He was among the close group of confidants who surrounded Sheikh Ahmed Yassin, the founder of Hamas, and previously served a five-year prison sentence in Israel for his activity in the terrorist organization.

After Hamas took over the Strip in 2007, Issa amassed tremendous power, and following the successful IDF targeting of Ahmed Ja'abari in 2012, was appointed overall commander of the Hamas terror force.

Issa had been on the terrorist wanted lists in the United States and Europe, and Israel has tried to assassinate him on several occasions in the past, including during the IDF's "Operation Guardian of the Walls" in 2021.