Yasser Abu Shabab, the head of an anti-Hamas clan operating inside Gaza, has been officially confirmed dead following internal clashes — though the incident was not carried out by Hamas.
His deputy, Ghasan Duhine, shared Quran verses praising perseverance amid hardship. Duhine sustained minor injuries and received treatment at Barzilai Hospital in Ashkelon, Israel.
Abu Shabab had recently stated: “We do not see the Israeli people as our enemies. Our weapons are against Hamas. Israelis have the right to live in security and peace.”
The militia he led, known as the Popular Forces, rose to prominence during Israel’s war against Hamas. In a Facebook statement on Thursday evening, the group said Abu Shabab was shot “as he tried to resolve a dispute” among members of the Abu Suneima family.
Earlier reports on Israel’s Channel 12 said Abu Shabab was killed in clashes involving “Gaza clans” and was later pronounced dead at Soroka Medical Center in southern Israel.