Yasser Abu Shabab—the Israel-backed militia leader who emerged as a defiant challenger to Hamas rule in Rafah—was killed in a murky firefight, casting fresh doubt on Israel’s plan to cultivate local alternatives to Hamas.
Yasser Abu-Shabab, the influential leader of a Gaza militia known for its cooperation with Israel and its armed resistance against Hamas, was killed today during a firefight in the Gaza Strip.
Abu-Shabab was one of the few local actors openly challenging Hamas’ rule, and his militia played a significant role in countering Hamas’ dominance inside the territory.
His death raises major questions about the future of internal power dynamics in Gaza, the fate of anti-Hamas factions, and Israel’s ability to maintain local partnerships on the ground.