Tank Fires at Building Where Yahya Sinwar Was Found Dead

The Israeli military on Friday released new video of a tank firing at the building in which it said the late Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar had taken shelter after a firefight with Israeli soldiers and was later found dead.

The video shows a tank pointing at an already damaged building, then smoke and dust coming out of the building's windows once it is hit.

An Israel Defense Forces (IDF) statement released alongside the footage outlined the events leading up to the tank shooting at the building.

According to the statement, three "terrorists" had fired and thrown grenades at IDF troops while they were operating in the Tel al-Sultan area of Rafah on Wednesday. When the IDF troops fired back, the statement said, the group split up and fled into separate buildings. Two people went to one building, and Sinwar another.

Lt. Col. Nadav Shoshani, the IDF's international spokesperson, said that two of the men had covered themselves in blankets, while another wore a vest. This could have been to conceal their identities, he suggested. Sinwar’s arm was injured during the exchange of fire, Shoshani said.

After Sinwar had fled to the building shown in the footage, Shoshani said that the IDF sent a drone in to "see what the situation was."

Drone footage released Thursday shows what appears to be Sinwar sitting on a dusty armchair with an injured arm, seemingly staring directly at the camera. He is then seen throwing a piece of wood at the drone before the video ends.

Shortly after this footage was captured, Shoshani said, the IDF shot another tank shell at the building where Sinwar had taken refuge.

"The result is very clear," the spokesperson said. "The elimination of Sinwar, which we hope will have a very positive effect on the situation between us and Gaza."

Video: CNN

More local videos here

Subscribe to NEXT

Stay connected:

9NEWS Website

Download the 9NEWS App

Sign up for the 9NEWSLETTER

9NEWS (KUSA) is located in Denver, Colorado.