A prominent anti-Hamas leader, known for safeguarding Gaza civilians and reportedly supported by Israel, has been assassinated in Rafah, as reported by several sources.
Yasser Abu Shabab, who led the Abu Shabab militia—locally referred to as the “Popular Forces” of Gaza—gained notoriety for his collaboration with Israel in countering Hamas’ control in the area, according to experts.
“The Abu Shabab militia played a crucial role in assisting Israel to shield locals and restrain Hamas’ harmful activities,” stated Professor Kobi Michael, a senior researcher at the Institute for National Security Studies (INSS) and the Misgav Institute, in an interview with Fox News Digital.
Yasser Abu Shabab was at the helm of an anti-Hamas militia in Gaza. (The Center for Peace Communications)
“Hamas has been significantly concerned by these militias and is making every effort to dismantle them, viewing them as a serious threat. However, the murder of Abu Shabab by a rival clan, Hamula, suggests that dismantling Hamas alone will not suffice,” Professor Michael explained.
“Without a viable governance alternative to Hamas, the region is at risk of descending into chaos,” he added.
As reported by Fox News Digital in July, Abu Shabab’s group began forming in early 2024 after the IDF entered Rafah and Hamas started to lose control of the area.
Hamas terrorists in the northern part of the Gaza Strip Dec. 1, 2025. (Omar Al-Qatta/AFP via Getty Images)
Allegedly operating under Israeli protection, his men were escorting aid trucks, distributing supplies and asserting control over parts of eastern Rafah.
On Thursday, The Jerusalem Post reported sources claiming Abu Shabab was initially wounded in a clan-related confrontation. He was subsequently evacuated to a hospital in southern Israel, where he later died from his injuries.
The Popular Forces later released a statement, also cited by The Jerusalem Post, confirming Abu Shabab’s death and insisting he had been killed while attempting to resolve a local dispute.
Yaser Abu Shabab leads the Popular Forces in Rafah. (Courtesy: The Center for Peace Communications)
The group vowed to continue its operations until “the last terrorist was eliminated in Gaza,” adding that it would keep pursuing “a bright and secure future for our people who believe in peace,” the outlet said.
In a past interview with Ynet, Abu Shabab said, “We will not leave the Gaza Strip and will continue to fight Hamas until the last one is dead.”
A senior U.N. official, Georgios Petropoulos, also once referred to him as “the self-styled power broker of east Rafah,” according to a previous New York Times interview.
Terrorists in the central Gaza town of Deir al-Balah celebrate the ceasefire on Jan. 19, 2025. (TPS-IL)
“Israel has never believed that these militias can replace Hamas or become an effective ruler of the Gaza Strip,” added Michael.
“But both sides have a common enemy — Hamas. On the other hand, these militias were and are against Hamas and willing to fight Hamas. Israel perceived these militias as another operational tool in its war against Hamas and established cooperation with them based on local interests and essence.”
According to Reuters, Abu Shabab’s militia continued operating from Israeli-controlled areas of southern Gaza following the U.S.-backed ceasefire in October.
Palestinian Hamas terrorists stand guard on the day of the handover of hostages held in Gaza since the deadly Oct. 7 2023, attack, as part of a ceasefire and a hostages and prisoners swap deal between Hamas and Israel in Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip Feb. 22, 2025. (Reuters/Hatem Khaled/File Photo)
On Nov. 18, the group posted a video showing fighters preparing for a security sweep to “clear Rafah of terror,” referencing Hamas forces believed to be hiding in the area.
As reported by Fox News Digital, the ceasefire created a new landscape of militias, clan groups and networks as Hamas’ control weakened throughout the region, including the Popular Forces in Rafah.
“The situation is very fragile and unstable as long as Hamas is able to operate freely in Gaza,” Michael added.
Fox News Digital has reached out to the IDF and Israeli government for comment.
