Yasser Abu Shabab can be seen holding a gun in this image posted on the Popular Forces’ Facebook page. (Credit: Popular Forces/Facebook)
A Palestinian group in Gaza armed by Israel said in a statement released Wednesday that Hamas had killed at least 50 of its members, Middle East Eye reports.
The gang, named the Anti-Terror Service or Popular Forces and led by Yasser Abu Shabab, a clan leader known for criminal activity, said in a press statement that Hamas killed “over 50 of our volunteers, including relatives of our leader, Yasser, as we guarded aid convoys and redistributed supplies that were otherwise destined for corrupt entities linked to Hamas.”
Last week, Netanyahu admitted to arming powerful local clans in Gaza — which aid groups accuse of stealing humanitarian aid — in a bid to counter Hamas. His admission came after defence officials quoted in Israeli media said he had authorised the transfer of Kalashnikov assault rifles to Abu Shabab’s gang. Israeli officials confirmed to CNN that Abu Shabab's group is included among those receiving weapons from Israel.
Abu Shabab himself, however, insisted to CNN that this claim was false. “Our equipment is extremely basic, passed down by volunteers from their forefathers or assembled from limited local resources.”
Earlier this week, the Israeli news channel i24 reported that the Israeli army had intervened in clashes between Hamas and Abu Shabab's group, in order to protect Abu Shabab from being killed, which resulted in deaths on both sides. The army attacked Hamas with a drone strike, which the outlet described as “the first Israeli strike on Gaza whose sole objective was to assist the Abu Shabab militia.”
According to the Israeli news outlet Ynet, Abu Shabab’s militia had killed six members of Hamas’ “Arrow” unit, which is responsible for targeting collaborators with Israel. Abu Shabab, who was imprisoned by Hamas on drug trafficking charges, managed to flee prison with the outbreak of Israel’s war on Gaza in October 2023. His militia, which operates in southern Gaza, is believed to consist of around 100 men.
Last week, Hamas said it would continue “confronting the dens of that criminal and his gang, no matter the cost of the sacrifices we make.”
Hamas killed Abu Shabab's brother last year and has tried to kill Abu Shabab at least twice, according to Muhammad Shehada, a Gaza analyst at the European Council on Foreign Relations cited by CNN.