Abu Shabab Anti Hamas Militia Leader Dies In Gaza

JAKARTA - The leader of the anti-Hamas group armed and backed by Israel was reportedly killed in Gaza. This incident has the potential to be a major blow to Israel's postwar plans in the devastated region.

Yasser Abu Shabab, who led the militia that controls the Rafah region of southern Gaza, died while trying to "refine conflict" between family members in the square, the group said.

One Israeli source previously said the death was caused by "internal clashes."

As reported by CNN, Friday, December 5, Israeli sources said Israel was trying to evacuate Abu Shabab to a hospital in the south of the country before he was declared dead.

Abu Shabab is the leader of the most prominent armed group of several armed Israeli-backed groups in Gaza. His death could be a setback for Israel's still unclear plans for the future of the enclave.

Abu Shabab, who is in his early 30s, seems to be expanding his reach slowly in southern Gaza as he tries to create an area free from Hamas. Israel intends to use the Abu Shabab militia to weaken Hamas, as an alternative to the Islamist government of the militant group.

Israel also plans to use the Abu Shabab organization, which it calls "People's Troops", to secure reconstruction projects in Israel's occupied Gaza under the next phase of a ceasefire deal.

Over the past few months of war, Abu Shabab has helped control the flow of aid from the Kerem SALom crossing in southern Gaza.