According to multiple reports, a powerful anti-Hamas clan leader who protects civilians in Gaza and is reportedly backed by Israel has been killed in Rafah.
Yasser Abu Shabab, head of the Abu Shabab militia, known locally as the ‘People’s Forces’ of the Gaza Strip, had become known for his cooperation with Israel against Hamas influence in the region, according to analysts.
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Yaser Abu Shabab leads an anti-Hamas militia in Gaza. (The Center for Peace Communication)
“Hamas has been deeply troubled by these militias and is doing its utmost to dismantle them. Hamas considers them a real threat, but the fact that Abu Shabab was killed by a rival, Hamula, indicates that disarming Hamas alone will not be enough.
“Yet, without an effective alternative government to Hamas, the Gaza Strip will descend into chaos.”
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Hamas terrorists in the northern part of the Gaza Strip, December 1, 2025. (Omar Al-Qatta/AFP via Getty Images)
His men, reportedly operating under Israeli protection, escorted aid trucks, distributed supplies and asserted control over parts of eastern Rafah.
On Thursday, The Jerusalem Post reported sources claiming that Abu Shabab was initially injured during a clan-related confrontation. He was then evacuated to a hospital in southern Israel, where he later died from his injuries.
The Popular Forces later released a statement, also quoted by The Jerusalem Post, confirming Abu Shabab’s death and maintaining that he was killed while trying to resolve a local dispute.
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Yaser Abu Shabab leads the People’s Armed Forces in Rafah. (Courtesy of the Center for Peace Communication)
The group pledged to continue its activities until “the last terrorist in Gaza was eliminated,” adding that it would “continue to pursue a bright and secure future for our people who believe in peace,” the newspaper said.
In an earlier interview with YnetAbu Shabab said: “We will not leave the Gaza Strip and will continue the fight against Hamas until the last is dead.”
A senior UN official, Georgios Petropoulos, also once called him “East Rafah’s self-proclaimed power broker,” according to an earlier publication. New York Times interview.
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Terrorists in the city of Deir al-Balah in central Gaza celebrate the ceasefire on January 19, 2025. (TPS-IL)
“Israel has never believed that these militias can replace Hamas or become an effective ruler of the Gaza Strip,” Michael added.
“But both sides have a common enemy: Hamas. On the other hand, these militias were and are against Hamas and willing to fight against Hamas. Israel regarded these militias as another operational tool in its war against Hamas and established cooperation with them based on local interests and essence.”
According to ReutersFollowing the US-backed ceasefire in October, Abu Shabab’s militia continued to operate from Israeli-controlled areas in southern Gaza.
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Palestinian Hamas terrorists stand guard on the day of the transfer of hostages held in Gaza since the deadly attack on October 7, 2023, as part of a ceasefire and hostage and prisoner swap deal between Hamas and Israel in Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip on February 22, 2025. (Reuters/Hatem Khaled/File Photo)
On November 18, the group posted a video showing fighters preparing for a security operation to “clear Rafah of terror”, referring to Hamas forces believed to be hiding in the area.
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“The situation is very fragile and unstable as long as Hamas can operate freely in Gaza,” Michael added.
