Palestinian scientist, doctor die in 'unexplained circumstances' in Algeria, sparking assassination rumours

Two Palestinians from Gaza have been found dead in Algeria, sparking speculation they may have been murdered by Israeli spy agencies, which have a record of targeting Palestinians abroad.

Medical doctorMohammed al-Banna, aged 35, and Suleiman al-Fara, a political scientist aged 34, died on Sunday, according to Palestinian press reports.

The Palestinian embassy in Algeria informed the two men's families in Gaza of their death, saying they may have died from a gas leak or an electrical shock, according to the Palestinian Information Centre.

But a report in Palestine Today said Algerian authorities were still working to determine the cause of death, prompting speculation on social media they may have been assassinated. 

A source in the Palestinian embassy in Algiers cited by Al Jazeera, however, denied the two men had been murdered. The source said their death inside their apartment was an accident.

Fatah's office in Algeria later issued a statement claiming the pair had died after inhaling gas.

Israel has in the past been blamed for the murders of Palestinian scientists abroad, who were thought to have links to Hamas and other Palestinian armed groups.

In April, Hamas accused Israel of killing Fadi al-Batsh, a Palestinian scientist living in Malaysia and said to be helping Hamas with its drone technology.

In December 2016, Tunisian engineer Mohammed Zouari was killed outside his home in the port city of Sfax. He was also reportedly helped Hamas develop drone technology.