Gaza Power Shift
Hamas Issues 10-Day Surrender Ultimatum to Rival Militias in Gaza After Abu Shabab's Murder
Since the October ceasefire, Hamas has ramped up its campaign against alleged collaborators, detaining or eliminating individuals accused of aiding Israel as it moves to reassert authority in areas where its control had weakened.
Hamas on Friday announced a 10-day "amnesty" period for armed members of rival militias to surrender to its security forces, a move aimed at consolidating control over the Gaza Strip one day after the mysterious death of Yasser Abu Shabab, a prominent anti-Hamas militia leader in Rafah.
The ultimatum, issued by a senior Hamas official, targets "collaborators" associated with groups backed by Israel, demanding they turn themselves in to what the group calls its "resistance" security apparatus. Hamas stopped short of claiming responsibility for Abu Shab'ab's killing but implied that members of his own Bedouin Tarabin clan may have carried it out due to his ties with Israel.
Abu Shabab's militia described his death as the result of a "family dispute," but Hamas praised the "patriotic and responsible stance" of local families and tribes for withdrawing support from such figures, signaling an effort to isolate opponents and strengthen its grip on the territory.
The development deals a blow to Israeli security initiatives, which have sought to partner with anti-Hamas militias as part of the second phase of U.S. President Donald Trump's peace plan.
Abu Shabab was viewed as a central figure in southern Rafah, where his group cooperated with Israel.Since the October ceasefire, Hamas has intensified its crackdown on alleged collaborators, eliminating or arresting several individuals accused of coordinating with Israel to reassert authority in areas under its control.