The decision by the Hague-based court came after prosecutors earlier this month told its judges they had "sufficient and reliable information" that Deif was killed last July in Gaza.

"As a result, the Chamber decides to terminate the proceedings against Mr Deif and renders the arrest warrant... against him without effect," presiding judge Nicolas Guillou said in a written decision.

Hamas did not confirm Deif's death until late last month when the group issued a statement announcing his "martyrdom".

Judge Guillou added the order was "without prejudice to pursuing again, should information become available that Mr Deif is still alive."

Set up in the late 1990s to try those accused of the world's worst crimes, the ICC issued an arrest warrant against Deif in November last year.

At the same time it also issued warrants against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his former defence minister Yoav Gallant.

The independent court is investigating Israel's conduct in its war against Hamas in the Gaza Strip, launched after the Palestinian militant group's deadly October 7, 2023, attacks.

The ICC said it had "reasonable grounds" to believe Netanyahu and Gallant bore "criminal responsibility" for the war crime of starvation in Gaza, as well as the crimes against humanity of murder, persecution and other inhumane acts.

Netanyahu has dismissed the move as anti-Semitic.