Abu Shabab militia announces new commander after namesake's death; Hamas: 'Traitors' should take heed

Ghassan al-Dahini, a deputy of Yasser Abu Shabab, has taken over the slain Gazan tribal leader’s eponymous Israeli-backed militia, says the group, which goes by “the Popular Forces.”

The Abu Shabab group, which operates in an IDF-controlled area of southern Gaza, posts a video on a Facebook page affiliated with it showing Dahini in military fatigues inspecting a formation of troops in gear.

خير خلف لخير سلف

قائد القوات الشعبية الجديد " غسان الدهيني " يتسلم مهامه ويقوم بزيارات تفقدية لجهاز مكافحة الإرهاب.

القوات الشعبية – قطاع غزة pic.twitter.com/O0gboijJ2I

— Yasser Abu Shabab-Popular (@yasserpopular) December 5, 2025

The group also posts a video of troops praying in memory of Abu Shabab, with a caption calling for recruits to join the group while vowing to keep fighting “until you’re freed from Hamas.”

Abu Shabab was killed Thursday as the result of what Israeli defense officials said was an “internal clash.”

Without claiming responsibility for the killing, the Hamas-controlled Gaza Interior Ministry threatens that Palestinians who work with Israel will meet a similar fate to Abu Shabab, urging “traitors” to turn themselves over to the terror group’s security apparatus.

“We call on collaborators… to turn themselves over immediately, before it’s too late,” the Hamas ministry says in a statement, adding that this would help “alleviate” legal procedures against them.

Meanwhile, Gaza’s Palestinian Tribal Committee reiterates its support for Hamas’s crackdown on accused collaborators and commends the ministry for “opening the door of repentance.”

The committee, which comprises representatives of several Gaza clans, says Abu Shabab militia acts as “the guard dogs and mercenaries of the occupation.” It praises the Tarabin clan, from which Abu Shabab hailed, for taking the “national position” and disowning him.

As it reasserts itself on its side of the Gaza ceasefire line, Hamas has killed dozens of people it accuses of collaborating with Israel, residents have told The Times of Israel. While Hamas does not announce these actions on its official social media accounts, Telegram accounts linked to it published several videos of violence against Gaza residents — including public executions, shots to the legs and beatings with stone blocks — in ostensible punishment for alleged crimes including stealing aid, using drugs and collaborating with Israel.

Emanuel Fabian and Nurit Yohanan contributed to this report.