Israel-backed Gaza militia leader Yasser Abu Shabab killed in clan clash near Rafah
Yasser Abu Shabab, leader of the Popular Forces militia in Gaza who was widely seen as Israel-backed and had fought Hamas, was killed during clashes with a Palestinian clan near Rafah in southern Gaza. Israeli officials say they helped arm his militia (a claim he denied), and Abu Shabab had acknowledged security coordination with Israel to prevent Hamas infiltration; the Hamas-run Interior Ministry celebrated his death as the "inevitable fate of every traitor" and urged other Israel-aligned militants to surrender as he operated in an area under Israeli military control.
📌 Key Facts
- Yasser Abu Shabab was the leader of the Popular Forces militia in Gaza, a group Israel sought to back.
- Israeli officials told the New York Times they had helped arm Abu Shabab’s militia; Abu Shabab denied being armed.
- In a late‑October interview, Abu Shabab explicitly acknowledged security and operational coordination with Israel aimed at preventing Hamas infiltration.
- Abu Shabab operated in an area under Israeli military control near Rafah and was killed there during clashes involving a Palestinian clan; Hamas did not immediately appear to be directly involved.
- Gaza’s Hamas-run Interior Ministry publicly celebrated his death as the "inevitable fate of every traitor" and urged other Israel-aligned militants to surrender.
📊 Relevant Data
The population of the Gaza Strip was approximately 2.3 million in 2024.
Gaza's economy collapsed 83% in 2024, pushing all 2.3 million people into poverty — UNCTAD
The unemployment rate in Gaza reached about 80% in 2024.
All 2.3 million people in Gaza were pushed into poverty in 2024 due to the economy collapsing by 83%.
Gaza's economy collapsed 83% in 2024, pushing all 2.3 million people into poverty — UNCTAD
In June 2007, Hamas defeated Fatah forces in the Battle of Gaza, gaining control of the Gaza Strip, despite Fatah receiving support from the United States and Israel.
Battle of Gaza (2007) — Wikipedia
📰 Sources (2)
- Israeli officials told the New York Times they had helped arm Abu Shabab’s Popular Forces militia (which he denied).
- In a late-October interview, Abu Shabab explicitly acknowledged security and operational coordination with Israel aimed at preventing Hamas infiltration.
- Abu Shabab was killed during clashes involving a Palestinian clan in southern Gaza near Rafah; Hamas did not immediately appear to be directly involved.
- Gaza’s Hamas-run Interior Ministry publicly celebrated his death as the 'inevitable fate of every traitor' and urged other Israel-aligned militants to surrender.
- He operated in an area under Israeli military control near Rafah.