Yasser Abu Shabab was murdered today in Rafah - according to information available to Israeli security officials - during a violent fight in which he was attacked with punches and kicks by members of his militia and his armed security guards, who regularly accompanied him.
According to a report this evening (Thursday) by Itai Blumenthal on 'Kan News', it is estimated that the background to the attack was struggles over honor, money, and positions within the militia, which have deteriorated in recent weeks and gotten out of control.
Israel says that Hamas terrorists were not involved in the incident in which Abu Shabaab was killed - neither directly nor indirectly.
During the same fight, Abu Shabaab's deputy, Rasan al-Dahini, was also injured and was evacuated by helicopter to Barzilai Hospital in Ashkelon. Al-Dahini survived the incident and was described as in minor condition after being shot in the leg.
The Popular Forces militia led by Abu Shabaab issued an official statement confirming his death. The statement said that "he was injured while trying to resolve a clan dispute," and emphasized that reports that he was killed by Hamas operatives "are not true.".
It also said: "The popular forces will continue on the same path until the last of the terrorists in Gaza is eliminated, and a secure future is built for our people who seek peace.".
The Abu Shabaab militia operates in eastern Rafah, in territory under Israeli control, in close cooperation with security forces.
An Israeli security source said that the armed militia model in Gaza "saved the lives of fighters." He said, "Despite the incident this morning, we continue to work with the militias on a model that has proven itself.".
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