2025 Rafah ambush
 | A request that this article title be changed to Killing of Yasser Abu Shabab is under discussion. Please do not move this article until the discussion is closed. |
| 2025 Rafah ambush | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Part of Hamas–Popular Forces conflict and Palestinian internal political violence | |||||||
| |||||||
| Belligerents | |||||||
| Abu Suneima family |
 Popular Forces | ||||||
| Commanders and leaders | |||||||
| Unknown |
Yasser Abu Shabab (DOW) Ghassan Duhine (WIA) | ||||||
| Units involved | |||||||
| Unknown |
Unknown | ||||||
| Strength | |||||||
| Unknown |
Unknown | ||||||
| Casualties and losses | |||||||
| High casualties reported on both sides. | |||||||
On 4 December 2025, clashes between the Abu Suneima family[1] and the Israeli-backed Popular Forces militia took place near Rafah in the Gaza Strip[2][3][4] which resulted in the subsequent death of Yasser Abu Shabab, the leader of the Popular Forces.[5][6]
Background
Yasser Abu Shabab was a Palestinian militant leader who led an armed group called the Popular Forces. His group controlled parts of eastern Rafah and set up a rival government against the Hamas government during the ongoing Gaza war.[7][8][9][10]
He was dubbed the "Pablo Escobar of Gaza" by critics because of his past involvement in drug smuggling and his powerful role in local armed politics.[11][12][13]
Attack
The Popular Forces reportedly took an individual hostage from the Abu Suneima family a local family.[1] Following the hostage taking, the local family responded by attacking a Popular Forces base in Rafah which caused heavy casualties on both sides.[14] The attackers allegedly chanted pro-Hamas slogans.[15]
Aftermath
The Leader of the Popular Forces, Yasser Abu Shabab, died of his wounds shortly before arriving at the Soroka Medical Center in Beersheba, Israel;[16] the hospital has denied that he died under their care.[17] Deputy Commander of the group, Ghassan Duhine, was also wounded in action.[2][3][4]
Ynet reported that Abu Shabab was killed due to an internal dispute within the Popular Forces,[18][19] however the group itself claims that he was killed while trying to resolve a dispute in a local family.[16]
Reactions
In an official statement, the Popular Forces had dismissed claims that its former leader, Yasser Abu Shabab's death, was caused by a Hamas attack.[16] The group also claimed to continue in Yasser Abu Shabab's path.[16]
Later on the day of the ambush, the Hamas-affiliated internal security force, Quwwat al-Rada'a (also known as "The Deterrence Force"), posted a picture of Yasser Abu Shabab on its Telegram channel, captioned: "As we told you, 'Israel won't protect you'."[20]
Husam al-Astal, leader of the Counter-Terrorism Strike Force claimed that Yasser Abu Shabab was killed due personal matters or a dispute with money.[21]
Notes
References
- ^ a b "Client Challenge". www.ft.com. Retrieved 5 December 2025.
- ^ a b "Anti-Hamas militia leader Yasser Abu Shabab killed in Gaza Strip - reports". Sky News. 4 December 2025. Retrieved 4 December 2025.
- ^ a b Yehoshua, Yossi; Halabi, Einav; Eichner, Itamar; Zitun, Yoav (4 December 2025). "Gaza militia leader working with Israel in Rafah killed in shooting". Ynet. Retrieved 4 December 2025.
- ^ a b "Gaza militia chief Yasser Abu Shabab 'killed in Rafah shooting'". The New Arab. 4 December 2025. Retrieved 4 December 2025.
- ^ Staff, Al Jazeera. "Gaza militia leader accused of collaborating with Israel killed: Reports". Al Jazeera English. Retrieved 4 December 2025.
- ^ "Prominent Gaza militia leader Abu Shabab dies in clashes, security source says". Haaretz. 4 December 2025.
- ^ Hasson, Nir (26 May 2025). "'Anti-terror Service': New Palestinian Militia Operating in South Gaza, Local Sources Say". Haaretz. Retrieved 4 June 2025.
- ^ Tondo, Lorenzo (5 June 2025). "Israel accused of arming Palestinian gang who allegedly looted aid in Gaza". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 6 June 2025.
- ^ Eichner, Itamar; Halabi, Einav (5 June 2025). "Liberman accuses Netanyahu of arming ISIS-linked militias in Gaza; PM's office offers no denial". Ynetnews. Retrieved 6 June 2025.
- ^ "Netanyahu Says Israel Fighting Hamas 'In Various Ways' Amid Claims It Armed ISIS-affiliated Gaza Militia". Haaretz. 5 June 2025.
- ^ "Exclusive: Abu Shabab forces emerge as new militia in Gaza to challenge Hamas' control". Euronews. 10 July 2025.
- ^ Fakti.bg. "Pablo Escobar in Gaza: New Palestinian group working with the Israeli army challenges Hamas control". Retrieved 12 July 2025.
- ^ "Gaza's Pablo Escobar: Yasser Abu Shabab's Ascent to the Abyss". The Palestine Chronicle. 9 October 2025. Retrieved 10 October 2025.
- ^ Burke, Jason (4 December 2025). "Yasser abu Shabab, leader of Israel-backed militia, killed in Gaza". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 4 December 2025.
- ^ "Anti-Hamas Abu Shabab militia head killed in Gaza gunfight". The Jerusalem Post. 4 December 2025. Retrieved 4 December 2025.
- ^ a b c d "Yasser Abu Shabab: Anti-Hamas militia leader killed in Gaza". www.bbc.com. 4 December 2025. Retrieved 4 December 2025.
- ^ "Prominent Gaza militia leader Abu Shabab dies in clashes, security source says". Haaretz. 4 December 2025.
- ^ Yehoshua, Yossi; Halabi, Einav; Eichner, Itamar; Zitun, Yoav (4 December 2025). "Gaza militia leader working with Israel in Rafah killed in shooting". Ynet. Retrieved 4 December 2025.
- ^ "Gaza militia chief Yasser Abu Shabab 'killed in Rafah shooting'". The New Arab. 4 December 2025. Retrieved 4 December 2025.
- ^ Staff, Al Jazeera. "Gaza militia leader accused of collaborating with Israel killed". Al Jazeera. Retrieved 5 December 2025.
- ^ "Israeli-backed militia leader killed in 'internal' clash in Gaza". The Washington Post. 4 December 2025. ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved 5 December 2025.
