One of the most important members of the central leadership of the Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas). Abu Shanab at one time deputised for the Hamas's overall leader, Shaikh Ahmad Yassin, and was responsible for political and military strategy in the Gaza Strip. He also acted as the chief negotiator, in 2003, in talks with Mahmoud Abbas, regarding the American 'road map' to peace with Israel. Abu Shanab was imprisoned by the Israelis from 1989 to 1996 on suspicion of kidnapping and killing two Israelis soldiers. He was killed in an Israel missile attack on Gaza. Ismail Abu Shanab was born in Gaza city into a family of refugees from present-day Israel city of Ashkelon. He had degree in construction engineering from Cairo and had further degree from the USA.