Hamas said it was pausing its participation in ceasefire and hostage deal negotiations following a critical strike by the Israeli air force on Saturday, which is believed to have killed one of the terror group’s most prominent leaders.

On Saturday, Israel jets bombed a compound in which Mohammed Deif, the leader of Hamas’ military operations in Gaza, and his sub-commander were reportedly hiding.

That evening, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that while Israel could not confirm that Deif had been slain in the airstrike, the terrorist was “most likely” killed.