The leadership of Hamas, including its top official in Gaza, is “on the run” as the Israeli army pushes further south into the Palestinian enclave, Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant said Monday, CNN reported, citing the news.

Israel’s military operation in the southern city of Khan Younis “will soon achieve its objectives” as troops push south toward Rafah, the last remaining Hamas stronghold, Gallant told a televised briefing. “Our forces are operating on the ground in most of the Gaza Strip,” he said.

Israel has publicly accused Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar of being the “mastermind” behind the group’s October 7 attack – although experts say he is likely one of several, making him one of the key targets of its war in Gaza.

Gallant said Monday that Sinwar had no contact with his fighters and was forced to flee from one hideout to another, hot on the trail of the Israeli army. “He’s not leading the troops, he’s busy with his personal survival. He became a fugitive terrorist instead of the head of Hamas,” Gallant said.

Gallant also said that Israeli forces killed or seriously wounded about half of the Hamas fighters in Gaza.

Hamas denied: Husam Badran, a Qatari spokesman for Hamas, denied Gallant’s claims, saying they were an attempt to boost Israel’s morale. According to Badran’s statement published by Hamas media, Hamas militants “continue to operate in all areas” of Gaza.