There have been persistent rumors, and denials, in recent months that the Egyptian government and the Muslim Brotherhood have been considering a reconciliation to end their bitter, yearslong rivalry. Now observers are wondering how the recent killing of a former, but still influential, Brotherhood leader might affect the situation.

Egypt’s Interior Ministry said earlier this month that Mohamed Kamal, a former member of the Brotherhood’s upper-echelon leadership known as the Guidance Bureau, had been killed Oct. 3. The police described Kamal as being responsible for the killing of Col. Wa’il Tahun of the State Security Investigations Service.

Police said Kamal died in an armed clash with security forces while they attempted to arrest him, but the Brotherhood maintains that Kamal was executed after he surrendered.

Kamal’s death raises a number of questions concerning the potential for reconciliation and alignment between the ruling regime and the Muslim Brotherhood. It could complicate the group’s already-severe internal split, which has created two factions.