Abu Shabab Boss Of Anti-Hamas Militant Group Dies After Mediation Of Family Quarrel In Gaza

JAKARTA - The leader of the anti-Hamas militant group, Yasser Abu Shabab, died after leading the mediation of an argument between families in Gaza.

This was announced by the Palestinian armed faction opposing Hamas on Thursday local time quoted by Reuters. They denied Hamas was behind the death of Abu Shabab as a result of being shot.

Abu Shabab, the head of the Israeli-controlled Bedouin tribe, has led a small group of opponents of other Hamas since Israel invaded Gaza about two years ago.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu acknowledged in June 2025 that Israel had armed anti-Hamas groups.

Since the Gaza ceasefire began in October 2025, the Abu Shabab group has continued to operate from Gaza's territory controlled by Israeli forces.

On November 18, 2025, the Abu Shabab group uploaded a video showing militants receiving orders to carry out an attack "cleaning up Rafah from terror," a directive leading to the eradication of Palestinian customs fighters, Hamas.

During the ceasefire as well, Rafah had become the region experiencing the worst increase in cases of violence.

Residents reported gunfire in Rafah on Wednesday this week and Israel reported four soldiers were injured.

A day later, the Israeli military said its troops had killed about 40 Hamas militants trapped in a tunnel under the Rafah.

After the death of its leader, the Abu Shabab group confirmed it would continue targeting the killings of Hamas fighters in Gaza.