Israel-backed militia leader Yasser Abu Shabab killed in Gaza

It has been reported that Yasser Abu Shabab, a militia leader supported by Israel against Hamas in Gaza and known for looting humanitarian aid, has been killed.

Israel Army Radio and Channel 14 reported that Abu Shabab, the leader of the militia force known as the “Popular Forces,” was shot by “armed individuals” in Rafah.

Conflicting information regarding his death

Varying accounts have emerged regarding where Abu Shabab died. Sources from The Times of Israel announced that Abu Shabab was taken to Israel following the clash but succumbed to his injuries.

In contrast, Haaretz reported, based on a statement from Soroka Hospital, that Abu Shabab was not transported to Israel and died in Gaza. Haaretz cited the hospital’s statement that “Abu Shabab was not brought here.”

Israel’s Channel 12 television claimed that Abu Shabab was killed as a result of an “internal tribal conflict.”

Hamas: This is the end for those who betray their homeland

The Hamas-affiliated Radaa Force Telegram channel shared a photo of the militia leader with the caption, “We told you; Israel will not protect you.”

A statement from Hamas declared, “What happened to the killed collaborator of the occupying Israel, Yasser Abu Shabab, is the inevitable end for anyone who betrays their people and homeland and is content to be a tool in the hands of the occupying Israel.”

Israeli analysts: A ‘resounding failure’ for Tel Aviv

Israeli military analyst Avi Ashkenazi stated, “The army failed to protect the militia. The killing of the leader of the largest Gaza militia is proof of this. Unfortunately, Hamas’s propaganda regarding the future of the militia was successful.”

Channel 12 characterized Abu Shabab’s death as a “resounding failure” of Tel Aviv’s effort to create an alternative to Hamas in Gaza, commenting, “In the end, the militia collapsed, and Hamas remained.”

Elior Levy, the Palestinian Affairs Editor for the Israeli state broadcaster KAN, criticized the strategy on social media: “It is time to learn from our past mistakes and understand that we cannot have armed militias do our dirty work against Hamas in Gaza. It didn’t work before, and it won’t work now.”

Israeli journalist Barak Ravid from the news site Axios also questioned the rationale behind supporting Abu Shabab. Ravid wrote, “The Netanyahu government did not want to bring the Palestinian Authority to Gaza, so it came up with the Abu Shabab idea. I wonder who was behind this bright idea? Who was the one who failed, was eliminated, and caused strategic damage to Israel?”

Looting aid trucks and providing intelligence to Israel

Throughout the war, Abu Shabab and the militia force he led were armed and supported by Israel. It was known that these forces were the primary structure behind the systematic looting of humanitarian aid trucks entering Gaza. Tel Aviv, however, held Hamas responsible for this looting.

It is also reported that Abu Shabab’s men conducted reconnaissance in the region prior to operations by Israeli soldiers and engaged in clashes against resistance forces on behalf of Tel Aviv on numerous occasions.

The group known as the “Popular Forces” is described as the largest Israel-supported anti-Hamas militia force operating in the Gaza Strip. It is stated that Abu Shabab commanded a force of approximately 2,000 personnel in Rafah, which has been largely destroyed by Israeli attacks.

Convicted of drug trafficking and escaped from prison

In July, Hamas gave Abu Shabab a 10-day deadline to surrender on charges of “treason, armed rebellion, and forming a gang,” announcing that he would otherwise be tried in absentia.

In 2015, Abu Shabab was sentenced to 25 years in prison by Hamas for drug trafficking and theft. He managed to escape in October 2023 after the prison where he was detained was struck by Israeli airstrikes.

The Tarabin tribe, to which Abu Shabab belonged, announced that they had “disowned” him and called for his killing due to his collaboration with Israel.

Following the ceasefire reached last month, Hamas intensified its operations against Israel-supported gangs. In mid-October, clashes occurred between forces attached to the Gaza Ministry of Interior and armed groups, resulting in the deaths of dozens of militia members and the detention of numerous individuals.

When the ceasefire went into effect, the Hebrew press reported that Abu Shabab and his gang would not be evacuated to Israel.