India, Jan. 31 -- Hamas on Thursday confirmed the death of its military chief Mohammed Deif, months after Israel had confirmed it, media reports said.

The Al-Qassam Brigades, the armed wing of Hamas, announced his death at a time when Israel and Hamas are following a 42-day ceasefire which began on January 19.

In a statement, Abu Obeida, spokesperson for the brigades, also confirmed that Marwan Issa, Al-Qassam's deputy chief of staff, had been killed.

Israel, earlier, said Mohammed Deif was one of the key architects behind the October 7, 2023 attacks in southern Israel which left at least 1200 people dead.

The Hamas had taken 251 people as hostage during the attack.

Deif was known to have helped engineer the construction of tunnels t...