Israeli troops are closing in on the home of Hamas chief Yahya Sinwar, Benjamin Netanyahu has said.

The Israeli prime minister said troops had surrounded the house of the mastermind of the Oct 7 terror attack, in the main southern city of Khan Younis.

“His house may not be his fortress and he can escape but it’s only a matter of time before we get him,” Mr Netanyahu said in a video statement.

Sinwar has not been seen in public during the war, and Israel has named him and the leader of Hamas’s armed wing, Mohammed Deif, as its top military targets.

Khan Younis residents said Israeli tanks had neared Sinwar’s home but it was not known whether he was there. Israel has said it believes many Hamas leaders and fighters are holed up in underground tunnels.

Responding to Mr Netanyahu’s remarks, Daniel Hagari, the IDF’s chief spokesperson, said Sinwar was underground. “I won’t elaborate on where exactly and what we know. Our job is to get to Sinwar and kill him.”

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