Live Update 
From the Liveblog of
Friday, May 30, 2025
From the Liveblog of
Friday, May 30, 2025
Hamas claims to target ‘undercover’ Israeli troops in video of Rafah IED attack
Emanuel (Mannie) Fabian is The Times of Israel's military correspondent
Armed men are seen before being targeted in a Hamas attack in Rafah, in a video issued by the terror group on May 30. 2025. (Screenshot: Telegram)
Hamas publishes an unusual video purporting to show its operatives detonating an explosive device against what it says are “undercover” Israeli soldiers in southern Gaza’s Rafah.
The video shows a group of armed men in civilian clothing being hit by a bomb.
Some reports from Gaza have indicated that the armed group is affiliated with Yasser Abu Shabab, a leader of a large clan in the Rafah area.
Abu Shabab claims his forces have been protecting aid convoys, while Hamas has accused him of looting the aid trucks and maintaining connections with Israel.
Israeli officials have declined to comment on Abu Shabab’s or other militias’ activities in Gaza.
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