The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) announced that they had found and destroyed the hideout of Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar in the northern Gaza Strip. It is about an apartment along with a system of large tunnels under it, reports The Times of Israel, cited by News.ro.

Yahya Sinwar, leader of the Palestinian Islamist movement Hamas in the Gaza StripPhoto: MOHAMMED ABED / AFP / Profimedia

The apartment, located on the outskirts of Gaza City, was found by the 14th Reserve Tank Brigade and later explored by the elite sapper unit Yahal, who found a tunnel mine.

The IDF says it made “many discoveries” in the apartment that indicate it was used by Sinwar as a hideout.

The mine was dug to a depth of 20 meters and led to a 218-meter tunnel with several branches, the IDF said. The underground passageways had electricity, air filtration systems, plumbing, rest and prayer rooms, and other equipment designed to keep senior Hamas members hidden for long periods of time.

According to the Israeli army, the tunnel was later destroyed by militants.