Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Galant vowed on Saturday that Israeli forces would “find and eliminate” Hamas leader Yahya Shinwar in the Gaza Strip.

“We will find and eliminate Sinwar,” Gallant told a news conference as Israeli forces continue to engage in street fighting with Hamas militants in Gaza, alongside continued bombardment of the besieged area.

Gallant added: “We had heavy fighting inside the Gaza Strip during Saturday. We have completed the encirclement of Gaza. The army is operating from the north and south of Gaza City, forces have entered residential areas.

Shortly after the war between Israel and Hamas broke out, Israel said the two most important targets were Al-Sinwar, the head of Hamas’ political bureau in Gaza, and Muhammad Taif, a military expert with the movement who is considered Hamas’s chief of staff. For its army in battle.

Al-Sanwar and al-Deef are now in the middle of a tunnel network built specifically to counter Israel’s bombing campaign since Hamas launched an unprecedented October 7 attack on Israeli military bases and gatherings near the border, Israeli security sources said. .