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Yasser Abu Shabab

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Yasser Abu Shabab
ياسر أبو شباب
Abu Shabab c. 2025
Leader of the Popular Forces
In office
6 May 2024 – 4 December 2025
Succeeded byGhassan Duhine
Personal details
Born(1993-12-19)19 December 1993 or (1990-02-27)27 February 1990
Rafah, Gaza Strip
Died4 December 2025(2025-12-04) (aged 31)
Beersheba, Israel[1]
Manner of deathDied subsequently after an ambush that wounded him
ChildrenHassan Abu Shabab[2]
Known forArmed opposition to Hamas
Military service
AllegiancePopular Forces
Years of service2024–2025
Wars/conflicts fought/participated in
Criminal information
Criminal statusDeceased
Criminal chargeDrug trafficking and theft (2015)
Treason, insurrection, wartime collaboration, organized crime (2025, in absentia)
Penalty25 years' imprisonment (2015)
Wanted by
Hamas
EscapedOctober 2023
Date apprehended
2015

Yasser Abu Shabab[a] (19 December 1993 – 4 December 2025) was a Palestinian militant and the leader of the Popular Forces, an anti-Hamas armed group in the Gaza Strip. He was a Bedouin of the Tarabin tribe.[3][4][5][6]

Abu Shabab emerged as a local opposition figure to Hamas during the Gaza war. In May 2024, his group began looting aid trucks, claiming he was providing security for humanitarian aid convoys entering Gaza during the Rafah offensive.[7][6] Abu Shabab was reportedly behind the Kerem Shalom aid convoy looting.[8] Israel began providing Abu Shabab's group with weapons and equipment in 2025.[9] Since June 2025, his group has control over some parts of eastern Rafah.[5] Following Yasser Abu Shabab's death, Ghassan Duhine proclaimed himself the new leader of the Popular Forces.[10]

Early life and criminal activities

Abu Shabab was born in eastern Rafah on 19 December 1993,[11] or possibly 27 February 1990.[12] He was a member of the Tarabin Bedouin tribe and has a son named Hassan Abu Shabab.[2][13][14] According to sources close to Abu Shabab, he dropped out of school at an early age and became involved in drug trafficking.[15][16] He was also involved in smuggling cigarettes and other drugs into the Gaza Strip.[17] In 2010, Abu Shabab attempted to join the Hamas security services.[2] In 2015, he was arrested by Hamas on drug trafficking charges and sentenced to 25 years in Asda prison in western Khan Yunis.[13]

Looting and securing aid convoys

In October 2023, during the outbreak of the Gaza war, Abu Shabab escaped the prison as it was being bombed by Israel. The circumstances of his escape are unknown.[18][13] After his escape, Abu Shabab and his followers organized raids to turn the tables on Hamas and take action claimed to address the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.[19] He led a gang of around 100 members, mostly former officers from the Palestinian Authority's National Security Forces to intercept food and supply trucks entering Gaza after accusing Hamas of stealing the provisions and shooting people. In November 2024, Abu Shabab survived an assassination attempt by Hamas at the European Hospital in Khan Yunis. He managed to flee but two of his associates were killed.[16] In January 2025, Hamas executed one of his senior aides.[20][21]

In May 2025, Abu Shabab and his men were reported to be securing the aid convoys for the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation. Hamas accused him of being a collaborator with Israel, claiming his group operated behind earth berms securing humanitarian entry routes under the U.S. humanitarian aid initiative. According to reports, his forces were escorting convoys from the Kerem Shalom crossing, armed with AK-47 rifles allegedly provided by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF).[22][23][24] Hamas accused Abu Shabab's group of working with the IDF to inspect buildings before Israeli troops moved in.[25]

Partial control over Rafah

See also: Popular Forces administration in the Gaza Strip

In June 2025, Abu Shabab released a recorded statement claiming to operate "under the legitimate Palestinian authority," referring to the Palestinian Authority (PA). He stated his operations were coordinated with the PA and called on residents of eastern Rafah to return to their homes, promising shelter and food for returning families.[26] He further announced the establishment of a force intended to protect Palestinians from "the terror of the de facto government" (referring to Hamas) and from "aid looters." He claimed to have distributed aid and provided protection to hundreds of families in eastern Rafah.[26] Jonathan Whittall, the head of the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs said that gangs such as Abu Shabab's are responsible for "The real theft of aid since the beginning of the war" and that this is being done "under the watch of Israeli forces".[27]

On 5 June 2025, Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed that Israel had supplied weapons to Abu Shabab's group, which Abu Shabab promptly denied.[28][29] Avigdor Lieberman criticized the decision and alleged that Abu Shabab had ties to the Islamic State.[27] On 8 June 2025, it was reported that Israel had agreed to the group assuming a governing role as an alternative to Hamas.[30]

On 2 July 2025, Gaza's interior ministry ordered Abu Shabab to surrender to face trial on charges of treason.[31] The ministry said that a "Revolutionary Court" had given him 10 days to surrender, and that he was accused of "treason, collaborating with hostile entities, forming an armed gang, and insurrection". The ministry also called on Palestinians to inform Hamas militants if they were aware of his location.[32][33] It added that he would be tried in absentia if he failed to surrender. The Popular Forces responded on Facebook, saying that the court's order was a "sitcom that doesn't frighten" them and that it doesn't "frighten any free man who loves his homeland and its dignity".[34]

Abu Shabab published an op-ed in The Wall Street Journal on 24 July 2025.[35]

Death

Main article: 2025 Rafah ambush

Abu Shabab's family disowned him for "supporting the Zionist occupation forces" and said they "have no objection to those around him liquidating him immediately".[27] Hamas put Abu Shabab in their top targets for assassination, which led to them twice trying to kill him, unsuccessfully.[11][31]

On 4 December 2025, Abu Shabab was shot and wounded near Rafah, and shortly before arrival at a local hospital in Beersheba, Israel, he died of his wounds.[36] The Israeli Army Radio reported that Abu Shabab died of wounds sustained in an ambush set by resistance factions,[37] while Ynet and KAN reported that he was killed in a dispute linked to a feud between local families.[38][39][40]

See also

Notes

  1. ^ Arabic: ياسر ابو شباب

References

  1. ^ "Yasser Abu Shabab: Anti-Hamas militia leader killed in Gaza". www.bbc.com. 4 December 2025. Retrieved 5 December 2025.
  2. ^ a b c van der Merwe, Ben; Doak, Sam (4 October 2025). "Guns, cash and American aid: Investigation reveal Israel's support for Gaza militia". Sky News. Retrieved 4 December 2025.
  3. ^ Hasson, Nir (26 May 2025). "'Anti-terror Service': New Palestinian Militia Operating in South Gaza, Local Sources Say". Haaretz. Retrieved 4 June 2025.
  4. ^ 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.
  5. ^ a b 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.
  6. ^ a b "Netanyahu Says Israel Fighting Hamas 'In Various Ways' Amid Claims It Armed ISIS-affiliated Gaza Militia". Haaretz. 5 June 2025.
  7. ^ Doak, Sam (29 May 2025). "How the rollout of new Gaza aid system collapsed into chaos". Sky News. Retrieved 4 June 2025.
  8. ^ Ibrahim, Sally (19 November 2024). "Gaza: Hamas security forces kill 20 aid looters 'linked to Israel, ISIS'". The New Arab.
  9. ^ Fabian, Emanuel (5 June 2025). "Sources confirm Israel arming Gazan gang to bolster opposition to Hamas". The Times of Israel. Retrieved 5 June 2025.
  10. ^ "Ghassan Al-Duhaini to replace Shabab as Popular Forces head". The Jerusalem Post. 5 December 2025. Retrieved 5 December 2025.
  11. ^ a b Janardhanan, Vinod (11 June 2025). "Drug trafficker, traitor, gangster: What you didn't know about Yasser Abu Shabab, the anti-Hamas clan leader helping Israel in Gaza". WION. Retrieved 4 August 2025.
  12. ^ "Who is militia leader Abu Shahab, the man wanted by a court in Gaza?". Middle East Eye. 2 July 2025. Retrieved 11 November 2025.
  13. ^ a b c "'Popular Forces': Who are the Gaza gangsters being armed by Israel?". Middle East Eye. 14 June 2025.
  14. ^ Zeidan, Adam (12 June 2025). "Who Is Yasser Abu Shabab?". Encyclopædia Britannica.
  15. ^ Tlozek, Eric; Yazbeck, Chérine (14 July 2025). "Israel said Hamas was looting aid—then it armed the gangs who were actually stealing it". ABC News. Retrieved 5 December 2025.
  16. ^ a b Halabi, Einav (8 June 2025). "Inside the Gaza militia armed by Israel: A history of terror, ISIS ties and attacks on IDF". Ynetnews. Retrieved 8 June 2025.
  17. ^ Frankel, Julia; Mednick, Sam; Magdy, Samy; Keath, Lee (7 June 2025). "Israel backs an anti-Hamas armed group known for looting aid in Gaza. Here's what we know". Associated Press. Retrieved 3 July 2025.
  18. ^ "بقيادة "أبو شباب" وعناصر من أجهزة السلطة.. مرتزقة شرق رفح يحاولون تنفيذ مخططات الاحتلال" [Led by "Abu Shabab" and members of the Palestinian Authority. Mercenaries east of Rafah try to carry out the occupation's plans]. Shahed (in Arabic). 25 May 2025. Retrieved 4 June 2025.
  19. ^ "In Gaza, Israel promotes anti-Hamas militias linked to criminal networks". Le Monde. 8 June 2025. Retrieved 8 June 2025.
  20. ^ "משטרת חמאס הורגת חמישה פלסטינים שהואשמו בשיתוף פעולה עם ישראל בעזה" [Hamas police kill five Palestinians accused of collaborating with Israel in Gaza]. Aurora (in Hebrew). 24 January 2025. Retrieved 4 June 2025.
  21. ^ Rasgon, Adam (6 June 2025). "Who Leads the Israeli-backed Palestinian Militia in Gaza?". The New York Times. Retrieved 7 June 2025.
  22. ^ "ياسر أبو شباب.. سرسري أسست له "إسرائيل" جيش لحد في غزة" [Yasser Abu Shabab ... an agent for whom Israel founded the Lahad Army in Gaza]. Palestinian Press Network (in Arabic). 24 May 2025. Archived from the original on 9 June 2025. Retrieved 4 June 2025.
  23. ^ "متهم بسرقة غذاء نازحي غزة.. من هو ياسر أبو شباب؟" [Accused of stealing Gaza's aid – who is Yasser Abu Shabab?]. Al Mashhad Media (in Arabic). 20 November 2024. Retrieved 4 June 2025.
  24. ^ אוהביה, שרעבי (22 May 2025). "דיווחים ברצועה: האיש שחמאס ניסה לחסל - תועד חמוש בעזה" [Reports from the Strip: The man Hamas tried to eliminate was recorded armed in Gaza]. Arutz 7 (in Hebrew). Retrieved 4 June 2025.
  25. ^ Fabian, Emanuel; Yohanan, Nurit; Freiberg, Nava (5 June 2025). "Israel providing guns to Gaza gang to bolster opposition to Hamas". The Times of Israel. Retrieved 6 June 2025.
  26. ^ a b עומר, שחר (3 June 2025). "כוח חמוש בעזה טוען: "שולטים על אזור ברצועה ששחררנו מחמאס"" [An armed force in Gaza claims: "We control an area in the Gaza Strip that we liberated from Hamas"]. Kan 11 (in Hebrew). Retrieved 4 June 2025.
  27. ^ a b c Tondo, Lorenzo (6 June 2025). "Netanyahu defends arming Palestinian clans accused of ties with jihadist groups". The Guardian. Retrieved 11 June 2025.
  28. ^ Usher, Sebastian (5 June 2025). "Netanyahu confirms Israel arming clans opposed to Hamas in Gaza". BBC. Retrieved 6 June 2025.
  29. ^ "Gaza militia leader Abu Shabab: Haven't ruled out coordination with IDF on aid". The Jerusalem Post. 8 June 2025. Retrieved 8 June 2025.
  30. ^ "פרטים חדשים: כך ישראל מקדמת את השלטון הבא בעזה". Walla News (in Hebrew). 8 June 2025. Retrieved 10 June 2025.
  31. ^ a b "Hamas orders Gaza clan leader to surrender, accuses him of treason". Reuters. 2 July 2025.
  32. ^ "Hamas orders 'Israel-linked' Gaza gang leader to surrender". The New Arab. 3 July 2025. Archived from the original on 4 July 2025.
  33. ^ Haroni, Liran (2 July 2025). "Hamas: Gaza militia leader Abu Shabab must turn himself in". The Jerusalem Post.
  34. ^ "Hamas-run court gives Gaza gang leader Abu Shabab 10 days to surrender". Al Jazeera English. 2 July 2025. Retrieved 26 July 2025.
  35. ^ Abu Shabab, Yasser (24 July 2025). "Gazans Are Finished with Hamas". The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved 26 July 2025.
  36. ^ "Yasser Abu Shabab: Anti-Hamas militia leader killed in Gaza". BBC News. 4 December 2025. Retrieved 5 December 2025.
  37. ^ "Anti-Hamas militia leader Yasser Abu Shabab killed in Gaza Strip - reports". Sky News. 4 December 2025. Retrieved 4 December 2025.
  38. ^ 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.
  39. ^ "Gaza militia chief Yasser Abu Shabab 'killed in Rafah shooting'". The New Arab. 4 December 2025. Retrieved 4 December 2025.
  40. ^ "במערכת הביטחון מעריכים: אבו שבאב נרצח באגרופים ע"י חבריו ומאבטחיו".
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