A prominent Palestinian militia leader in Gaza who opposed Hamas has been killed.
Yasser Abu Shabab headed the so-called Popular Forces group, which has dozens of fighters and operates in Israeli-controlled territory near the southern city of Rafah.
The Popular Forces said in a statement that Abu Shabab was shot while 'attempting to resolve a dispute' between members of the Abu Seneima family. It dismissed as 'misleading' reports that he was killed by Hamas, which had accused him of collaborating with Israel.
An earlier statement from Abu Shabab's Bedouin tribe, the Tarabin, said he had been killed 'at the hands of the resistance', and accused him of betraying the Palestinian people.
Other sources said his death was the result of an internal power struggle.
A Hamas statement said the 'fate that befell' Abu Shabab was 'the inevitable fate of all who betray their people and homeland and are content to be tools in the hands of the occupation [Israel]', without claiming involvement in his killing.
Israel's Army Radio cited a security source as saying that Abu Shabab had died of his wounds after being evacuated to Soroka hospital in the southern Israeli city of Beersheba. But the hospital denied that he died under their care.
The statement from the Popular Forces pledged to continue on Abu Shabab's 'path until the last terrorist is eliminated from the soil of Gaza and a bright and secure future is built for our people, who believe in peace'.
In June, Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed that Israel was arming Palestinian clans in Gaza that he said were opposed to Hamas.
Since the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas began almost eight weeks ago, Abu Shabab had reportedly been one of several anti-Hamas militia leaders jostling for position in the second phase of US President Donald Trump's Gaza peace plan. This plan includes the establishment of an interim government and would see an international stabilization force deployed in the region.
The ongoing conflict began when Hamas led an attack on southern Israel on October 7, 2023, resulting in significant casualties on both sides. Over 70,120 individuals have reportedly died in Israeli attacks in Gaza since the onset of hostilities. The situation remains tense as the region confronts a complex landscape of allegiances and power dynamics.
