Abu Shabab's death would be a boost to Hamas, which branded him a collaborator and ordered its fighters to kill or capture him.

Sporadic clashes between the Israel Defense Forces and Gaza militants -- plus deadly IDF airstrikes -- continue despite the Gaza ceasefire.

Tension escalated in southern Gaza after Yasser Abu Shabab, the prominent leader of the Popular Forces militia and a known critic of Hamas, was shot dead under mysterious circumstances near Rafah. His death has sparked conflicting claims and intensified speculation about

Sisi: Israel must sign gas agreement with Egypt to meet

Asharq Al Awsat Groups operating in Israeli controlled pockets of the Gaza Strip say they will press ahead with their fight against Hamas despite the killing of their most senior commanders, insisting that they have expanded their ranks with new recruits since the October ceasefire as they seek a foothold in Gaza’s political future.

The killing of the commander, Raed Saad, on Saturday was the highest-profile assassination of a Hamas leader since a cease-fire came into force two months ago.