The armed wing of Hamas has hailed Muhammad Ibrahim Shaheen, who as we reported earlier was killed by an Israeli drone strike in Sidon, as an influential figure in the Palestinian organisation, Al Jazeera reports.

Qassam Brigades said in a statement that he had a “pioneering role and special fingerprints” in the path of resistance against Israel, including during the war on Gaza.

The Palestinian group said as its members are killed across Palestinian and other territories, it affirms its steadfastness on the path of resistance “until the dream of our people for liberation and return is achieved”.