Ask Onix
Militia leader's death sparks conflicting claims
Yasser Abu Shabab, head of the Gaza-based Popular Forces militia, was fatally shot on Thursday amid conflicting reports about the circumstances of his death. The group, which operates near Rafah in Israeli-controlled territory, has been a vocal opponent of Hamas.
Dispute over killing
The Popular Forces stated Abu Shabab was shot while attempting to mediate a family feud within the Abu Seneima clan. The group dismissed allegations linking Hamas to the killing as "misleading."
Abu Shabab's Bedouin tribe, the Tarabin, initially claimed he was killed "by the resistance," accusing him of betraying Palestinians. Other sources suggested his death stemmed from an internal power struggle.
Hamas issued a statement calling Abu Shabab's fate the "inevitable outcome for those who betray their people," though it did not claim responsibility for the killing.
Israeli hospital denies involvement
Israel's Army Radio reported that Abu Shabab died from wounds after being taken to Soroka Hospital in Beersheba. The hospital, however, denied treating him.
Militia vows to continue operations
The Popular Forces pledged to uphold Abu Shabab's mission, stating they would fight until "the last terrorist is eliminated from Gaza" and a "secure future" is established for Palestinians.
The group has faced accusations of looting humanitarian aid and alleged ties to the Islamic State (IS), both of which it denies.
Broader context: Gaza's shifting alliances
In June, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed arming Gaza clans opposed to Hamas, though the Popular Forces denied receiving weapons from Israel.
Abu Shabab had reportedly been positioning himself for a role in the second phase of a U.S.-backed peace plan, which includes forming an interim government, deploying international forces, and disarming Hamas.
The first phase of the plan secured the release of 48 living and dead hostages in exchange for Palestinian prisoners and increased aid. One Israeli hostage's body remains unreturned.
War's toll and ongoing tensions
The conflict began after Hamas's October 7, 2023, attack on southern Israel, which killed approximately 1,200 people and took 251 hostages. Since then, Gaza's Hamas-run health ministry reports over 70,120 deaths from Israeli strikes.
"The second phase [of the peace plan] is going to happen pretty soon," U.S. President Donald Trump said on Wednesday.
