This photo released by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) on Jan. 23, 2024, shows Israeli troops conducting military operations in the southern Gaza Strip. [Photo/Xinhua]

Israel confirmed Tuesday that Marwan Issa, the deputy military leader of Hamas, was killed in its airstrike on a tunnel in the Gaza Strip earlier in March.

"Tonight I can confirm that, according to our intelligence, Marwan Issa was killed in an attack we carried out about two weeks ago," Israel Defense Forces (IDF) Spokesman Daniel Hagari said in a briefing.

Hagari said Razi Abu Tama'ah, another senior militant of Hamas, was killed with Issa.

On March 11, the IDF claimed an attack on a tunnel in Gaza, where the two were believed to be staying. However, it could not confirm their killing then.