Anti-Hamas militia leader killed in Palestinian infighting
A security official said Thursday that Yasser Abu-Shabab, the militia leader who opposed Hamas in Gaza, has died. Israeli sources believe he was killed in inter-clan fighting. An Israeli official confirmed that Abu-Shabab was evacuated to Soroka Medical Center, where he died of his wounds, adding that the incident appears to be internal Gaza strife rather than a Hamas operation.
However, Gaza-based Telegram channels claim Abu-Shabab and several of his men were killed in a Hamas ambush.
In June, it was revealed that Israel had armed Abu-Shabab’s clan with Kalashnikov rifles, with approval from Prime Minister Netanyahu.
Abu-Shabab’s militia was intended to secure reconstruction work in Rafah and oversee repair efforts in the area under its control alongside Israel.
