The Israeli military says it has confirmed that the commander of Hamas' military wing was killed in an airstrike in southern Gaza last month.

The military said on Thursday that Mohammed Deif, who headed the al-Qassam Brigades, was killed in the attack on July 13.

It said the commander played a key role in planning and conducting the October 7 attacks on Israel by Hamas fighters.

Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant said in a social media post on Thursday that the death of the commander is "a significant milestone in the process of dismantling Hamas and in the achievement of the goals of the war."

Meanwhile, in the Iranian capital Tehran, a funeral service was held on Thursday for Hamas' political leader Ismail Haniyeh, who was killed there in an apparent assassination on the previous day. Hamas and its supporter Iran accuse Israel of carrying out the attack that killed Haniyeh.

Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and President Masoud Pezeshkian prayed in front of Haniyeh's coffin.

Mourners dressed in black marched around the funeral venue. They shouted "Death to Israel" and other anti-Israel slogans. The participants called for retaliation against Israel.

A senior Hamas official said at a news conference in Tehran on Wednesday that a missile hit the room where Haniyeh was staying.

The official harshly criticized Israel, saying the country is igniting a war that wants to destroy the entire region. He added that the crime by Israel will never be overlooked.

The Israeli government has refrained from directly commenting on the killing of Haniyeh.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in a statement on Wednesday, "We are prepared for any scenario." He stressed the intention to continue fighting against Iran and all forces supported by the country.