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BREAKING: Yasser abu Shabab Assassinated in Eastern Rafah
Reports indicate he was just assassinated, his wife claims he is 'fine.
Yasser Abu Shabab, head of the anti-Hamas local militia “the Popular Forces” in eastern Rafah, was assassinated by gunmen today.
Abu Shabab headed The Popular Forces, a small faction of tribal and neighborhood fighters formed during the conflict, which opposed Hamas’ rule.
Israeli officials said the group had recently cooperated with Israel, providing intelligence on Hamas movements and helping maintain order in areas of eastern Rafah following Hamas’ collapse.
However, Abu Shabab’s wife claimed that “he is fine, and these reports are false,” according to a source in contact with the family, speaking to Israel Hayom.
Abu Shabab has long been a thorn in Hamas' side and they have threatened him more than once. Although he knew his life was in danger, he pledged to continue to fight against them.
According to Open Source Intel:
An Israeli security official said Abu Shabab died at Soroka Hospital from injuries sustained in an internal tribal dispute in Gaza, not in an attack by Hamas.
An unverfied report claims that "he was killed within the yellow line of IDF controlled Gaza, which means Hamas members were able to sneak into the territory and assassinate him, then escape successfully."
Authorities and media outlets continue to verify the incident.
We will update as more details become available.