The ISIS terrorist group affiliate in northern Sinai announced on Tuesday the death of one of its senior commanders. Abou Hamza al-Maqdisi’s death was confirmed by tribal sources in Sinai. They described him as a “takfiri” element who had fled neighboring Gaza to the peninsula. ISIS media did not disclose the details behind his death. Egyptian authorities have yet to issue an official statement over the development. The tribal sources said, however, that Maqdisi was likely killed during Egyptian air strikes on ISIS pockets in southeastern al-Arish and south of al-Sheikh Zuweid. They revealed to Asharq Al-Awsat on condition of anonymity that these regions witnessed wide military operations in recent days. Witnesses said that a number of takfiris were killed in the operations. On September 11, Egyptian authorities announced the death of 11 terrorists in al-Arish in a shootout with the police. The Egyptian armed forces and police have been conducting an operation in Sinai since February to crush militants affiliated with ISIS. The military has said hundreds of suspected militants have been killed as well as dozens of soldiers in the operation, which involves thousands of troops backed by heavy weapons and the air force.