Yasser Abu Shabab

Yasser Abu Shabab, a Palestinian in his 30s, led the "Popular Forces" militia in Gaza. He rose to prominence during the 2023 war as his group operated in Israeli-controlled areas near Rafah. Abu Shabab and his militia were backed by Israel as part of a strategy to counter Hamas. However, he was widely viewed as a collaborator by Palestinians, and his group was accused of stealing humanitarian aid. Abu Shabab's death in early December 2025 is newsworthy because it highlights the failure of Israel's plan to establish Palestinian rule in Gaza through local militias. His killing underscores the risks and challenges of Israel's strategy and signals a setback for their efforts to cultivate anti-Hamas forces within Gaza. Ghassan al-Duhaini has pledged to continue Abu Shabab's campaign against Hamas.