A prominent Palestinian militia leader in Gaza who opposed Hamas has been killed.
Yasser Abu Shabab headed the so-called Popular Forces group, which has dozens of fighters operating in Israeli-controlled territory near the southern city of Rafah.
The Popular Forces said in a statement that Abu Shabab was shot while attempting to resolve a dispute between members of the Abu Seneima family. It dismissed as misleading reports that he was killed by Hamas, which had accused him of collaborating with Israel.
An earlier statement from Abu Shabab's Bedouin tribe, the Tarabin, said he had been killed at the hands of the resistance, accusing him of betraying the Palestinian people.
Other sources indicated that his death was the result of an internal power struggle.
A Hamas statement said the fate that befell Abu Shabab was the inevitable fate of all who betray their people and homeland and are content to be tools in the hands of the occupation [Israel], without claiming involvement in his killing.
Israel's Army Radio cited a security source mentioning that Abu Shabab died from wounds after being evacuated to Soroka hospital in Beersheba, although the hospital denied this.
The statement from the Popular Forces pledged to continue on Abu Shabab's path until the last terrorist is eliminated from the soil of Gaza and a bright and secure future is built for our people, who believe in peace.
In June, Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed that Israel was arming Palestinian clans in Gaza opposed to Hamas. This included authorizing the supply of weapons to the Popular Forces, a claim that the militia denied.
The Popular Forces have been accused of looting humanitarian aid trucks sent into Gaza during the ongoing conflict, which they also denied.
Following the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, Abu Shabab was reportedly among anti-Hamas militia leaders vying for influence in the next phase of a proposed Gaza peace plan.
This plan includes establishing an interim government, deploying international forces, withdrawing Israeli troops, and disarming Hamas, according to various reports.
This situation adds another layer of complexity to the ongoing conflict, which began with a deadly Hamas-led attack on Israel in October 2023, leading to significant casualties on both sides.
More than 70,120 people have been reported killed in Gaza as a result of Israeli attacks since then, according to the territory's Hamas-run health ministry.
