GAZA CITY , Gaza ( CNN ) -- Sheikh Abu al-Nour al-Maqdessi killed in battle with Hamas forces , officials say . The death of the leader of Hamas' military wing is a major blow to Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas' efforts to end an armed conflict that has claimed more than 2,000 lives since 2008. Al-Maqdessi had sought creation of Islamic emirate in Gaza .
Sheikh Abu al-Nour al-Maqdessi killed in battle with Hamas forces , officials say . The death of the leader of Hamas' military wing is a major blow to Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas' efforts to end an armed conflict that has claimed more than 2,000 lives since 2008. Al-Maqdessi had sought creation of Islamic emirate in Gaza .