Dec 10 (Reuters) – Groups operating from Israeli-held areas of Gaza say they will continue to fight Hamas despite the killing of their most prominent commander, reporting more recruits since an October ceasefire as they eye a role in the enclave’s future.

The emergence of the groups, though they remain small and localised, has added to pressures on Islamist Hamas and could complicate efforts to stabilise and unify a divided Gaza shattered by two years of war.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu acknowledged Israeli backing for anti-Hamas groups in June, saying Israel had “activated” clans, though Israel has given little detail since then.

Last week, the man seen at the heart of efforts to establish anti-Hamas forces – Yasser Abu ‍Shabab – was killed in southern Gaza’s Rafah area. His grou

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