Hamas Asks Leaders Of The Gaza Bedouin Clan To Surrender Because They Are Considered Betrayers

JAKARTA - The Hamas-run Interior Ministry in Gaza on Wednesday ordered the leader of the fully armed Bedouin clan opposing the group's control of the Palestinian enclave to surrender and stand trial, on charges of treason.

The ministry said the decision was taken by what it called "Revolutionary Court".

Yasser Abu Shabab, who did not recognize the Hamas authorities, was given 10 days to surrender.

The court urged Palestinians to notify Hamas security officials of the whereabouts of Abu Shabab, who so far are still beyond their reach in the Rafah region of southern Gaza controlled by Israeli forces.

There was no immediate response from his group to the surrender order.

Reported by Reuters on Wednesday, July 2, Hamas, who accused Abu Shabab of looting UN aid trucks and supported by Israel, sent some of its main fighters to kill him.

The Abu Shabab group told Reuters it was then a popular force protecting humanitarian aid from looting by escorting aid trucks and denying support from Israel or contact with Israeli soldiers.

They accused Hamas of committing violence and silencing dissent.

While Israel says it supports some clans in Gaza to fight Hamas, it does not mention which clan.