In a significant development within the Gaza Strip, Yasser Abu Shabab, the prominent leader of an anti-Hamas militia, was killed on Thursday. The incident, described by sources as an "internal clash," occurred in the southern part of the territory.
Death of a Militia Leader
According to reports citing Israeli defence sources, Abu Shabab succumbed to his wounds after being taken to a hospital in Israel. He was a Bedouin tribal leader based in the Israeli-held sector of Rafah and headed the most notable among several small groups that have opposed Hamas during the ongoing war.
A senior source within the militia told the Ynet news site that the violence erupted from a dispute between families and factions inside the group. The argument escalated until gunfire broke out, leading to Abu Shabab's death. An Israeli security official later stated he was beaten to death during a quarrel over collaboration with Israel.
Hamas had previously branded Abu Shabab a collaborator and issued orders for his capture or killing. The group has denied claims that his militia received backing from Israel. Despite a US-backed ceasefire from October, Abu Shabab's group continued operations in areas under Israeli military control.
Continued Israeli Operations in Southern Gaza
Israel's military actions in southern Gaza proceeded concurrently. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) announced on Thursday that their security forces had eliminated more than 40 Hamas operatives in the region recently.
Among those confirmed killed were four high-value targets: Mohammad Bawab, commander of Hamas's East Rafah Battalion; his deputy, Ismail Abu Labda; company commander Tawfiq Salem; and Abdullah Hamad, son of senior Hamas official Ghazi Hamad. The IDF stated that Bawab and Abu Labda were directly responsible for planning their battalion's part in the devastating October 7, 2023, attack on southern Israel.
The military said the four were spotted emerging from tunnels in eastern Rafah last Sunday and were neutralised by a combination of ground troops and an Israeli Air Force strike.
Other Security Incidents and Developments
In a separate incident on Thursday, soldiers from the 7th Armoured Brigade stationed in southern Gaza fired upon a Palestinian terror operative. The individual had crossed the designated "Yellow Line" that divides Gaza as part of the ceasefire agreement. The IDF stated the operative posed an immediate threat to troops, and a hit was confirmed.
In a related humanitarian development, Israel confirmed the return of the remains of Sudthisak Rinthalak, a Thai farmer who was kidnapped by terrorists on October 7, 2023. With this repatriation, only one hostage's body is believed to remain in the Strip—that of police officer Master Sgt. Ran Gvili.
The Path Forward and Stalled Peace Plan
The killing of Abu Shabab occurs against the backdrop of a stalled US peace initiative. The next phase of the plan, championed by US President Donald Trump, envisions a further Israeli withdrawal from Gaza. It proposes establishing a transitional governing authority, deploying a multinational security force to replace the Israeli military, beginning reconstruction, and critically, disarming Hamas.
Hamas has so far refused to agree to demilitarisation, while Israel insists it is a non-negotiable precondition for the plan to advance. Despite the impasse, President Trump indicated on Wednesday that the second phase is "going to happen pretty soon" and that the process is "going along well."
As of Thursday afternoon, there was no official comment from the militia formerly led by Abu Shabab or from Israeli authorities regarding the circumstances of his death. The incident highlights the complex and volatile internal dynamics within Gaza amidst the broader Israel-Hamas conflict.
