Losing control? Hamas gives rival militia leader Abu Shabab 10 days to turn himself in

Hamas announced on Wednesday that it is giving Yasser Abu Shabab, leader of an Israeli-armed militia that declared its opposition to the terror group, 10 days to turn himself in.

The move is a potential sign of an increasing loss of control and growing concerns on the side of the terror group, as the IDF now directly controls over half of the Gaza Strip’s territory.

The demand was published by Hamas’ Interior Ministry, which announced that its court is prosecuting several charges against Abu Shabab, including treason, espionage on behalf of foreign elements, establishing an armed cell, armed rebellion and more.

“If he does not comply with the demand, he will be considered a fugitive from justice and will be tried in absentia,” the organization stated, adding that this was meant as a “message to anyone who is thinking of undermining the ranks of the resistance from within.”

In response Abu Shabab’s militia stated to Ynet News, “In our view, all members of Hamas should be put on trial for the same charge – for their ties with Iran and the Muslim Brotherhood, as these are hostile elements to our people and its supreme national interests.”

“Hamas has turned Gaza into a pawn in the hands of foreign regimes, and no longer represents the will of the people – but rather those who fund and direct it from the outside,” the group added.

Abu Shabab also announced that a new court established by the militia issued a similar deadline of ten days to a Hamas operative who recently tried to kill Abu Shabab and allegedly was behind the murder of a local Palestinian woman who worked with the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF).

As was reported last month, Abu Shabab’s “Popular Forces” militia, which has received some arms from Israel, has begun to directly challenge Hamas’ control in the southern area of the Gaza Strip, even ambushing and killing several of its operatives in recent weeks.

According to some reports, the group has been involved in providing security in or around the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation’s aid distribution centers.

However, the GHF’s CEO Rev. Johnnie Moore in recent statements denied that the aid foundation collaborates with Abu Shabab or any other armed group.

Hamas’ Internal Security Unit later announced that it supports the court’s decision, and vowed to pursue the “Abu Shabab gang” until its elimination in order to thwart “Israel’s plans to sow chaos and a security vacuum in the Gaza Strip.”

The statement further claimed that several members of Abu Shabab’s militias had already turned themselves in via local dignitaries and clan leaders, and called on the others to care for their lives and their families reputation, and do the same.

Those who turned themselves in are now “being handled by Hamas,” the statement added.

The terror group further reiterated calls to residents of the Gaza Strip not to assist Abu Shabab’s men in any way, “and whoever does not comply – the responsibility is on them.”