Join our Community
Support ToI and remove all ads
Learn more
×

Yasser Abu Shabab

Fighters from the militia led by Ghassan Dehini operating in the Rafah area of Gaza, in a still made from video posted in February 2026. (screen capture: Facebook / Counter-Terrorism Apparatus)
June 21, 2026, 8:30 am
Backed and armed by Israel, Gaza militias talk big but make little headway against Hamas
Groups boast of gains in reshaping the enclave, but experts say they’ve had almost no impact, and Israelis should be questioning if apparent bid to replace Hamas with gun-toting gangs is a good idea
By Nurit Yohanan
Ghassan al-Duhaini, the new commander of the Abu Shabab militia, inspects troops in a video released by the group on December 5, 2025. (X screenshot; used in accordance with Clause 27a of the Copyright Law)
January 25, 2026, 1:05 pm
Israel giving Gaza’s anti-Hamas militias weapons, intel, food, medical care — report
WSJ says aid includes air support, medical evacuations to Israel, quotes soldier as saying he escorted Shin Bet supply convoy to militia in Rafah; IDF, Shin Bet decline to comment
By ToI Staff
Yasser Abu Shabab (right) and members of his group in Gaza are seen in an undated video posted by the group. (screen capture: Facebook, used in accordance with Clause 27a of the Copyright Law)
December 4, 2025, 6:55 pm
Anti-Hamas militia leader Yasser Abu Shabab killed in ‘internal clash’ in Gaza
Separately, commander of Hamas’s East Rafah Battalion, his deputy, and two other terror operatives killed by Israeli forces on Sunday after emerging from tunnels in southern Gaza, IDF confirms
By Emanuel Fabian
Palestinians search for firewood and plastic at a landfill in Gaza City Saturday, Oct. 25, 2025. (AP/Abdel Kareem Hana)
October 30, 2025, 3:39 pm
Left out of Trump’s technocratic vision, anti-Hamas militias seek role in rebuilt Gaza
Unpopular armed groups want part in Strip’s future; a reemerged Hamas, which shows no readiness to disarm, is both threatening them and seeking a say over apolitical professionals intended to replace it
By Nurit Yohanan
Members of the internal security forces loyal to the Palestinian terror group Hamas, man a checkpoint in the Nuseirat refugee camp in the central Gaza Strip, on October 12, 2025. (Eyad BABA / AFP)
October 21, 2025, 8:43 pm
Hamas claims to deal ‘severe blow’ to Gazan militia with ties to Israel
Terror group says it arrested members of Abu Shabab militia, seized its equipment in southern Gaza, as it seeks to reassert control over Strip
By Agencies and ToI Staff
Maj. Yaniv Kula (left) and Staff Sgt. Itay Yavetz, who were killed in an attack in the southern Gaza Strip on October 19, 2025. (Israel Defense Forces)
October 19, 2025, 9:11 pm
2 soldiers killed, 3 wounded in attack on troops in Gaza; IDF launches wave of strikes on Hamas
21 said killed in retaliatory strikes; major Hamas tunnel previously used to hold hostages struck, elite Hamas Nukhba commander said killed; terror group says it found body of hostage
By Emanuel Fabian and Nurit Yohanan
Troops of the Gaza Division are seen operating in the Gaza Strip during a ceasefire, in a handout photo issued on October 12, 2025. (Israel Defense Forces)
October 19, 2025, 3:15 pm
In ‘blatant’ ceasefire violation, IDF says terror operatives attacked troops in Rafah
Hamas denies responsibility as military responds with airstrikes after RPG, sniper fire; Netanyahu, Katz discuss retaliation; far-right ministers call for return to war
By Emanuel Fabian, Nurit Yohanan and Sam Sokol
Hamas police forces deploy in Gaza City on October 11, 2025. (Ali Hassan/Flash90)
October 12, 2025, 3:51 pm
Hamas reappears on Gaza’s streets, and two of three militias that fought it go quiet
For now, the terror group’s reappearance is relatively limited, but reports are mounting of it pursuing those who have resisted it. And many Gazans fear a return of terror rule
By Nurit Yohanan
The school in eastern Rafah, run by the forces of Yasser Abu Shabab, August 10, 2025. (Screenshot: Facebook, clause 27a of the copyright law)
August 21, 2025, 9:51 pm
In IDF-controlled Rafah, an armed clan’s school plants seeds of a Hamas-free future
The Abu Shabab gang claims to have carved out an area where it is providing electricity, medical care and education for thousands of displaced Gazans under IDF protection
By Nurit Yohanan
Yasser Abu Shabab (right) and members of his group in Gaza are seen in an undated video posted by the group. (screen capture: Facebook, used in accordance with Clause 27a of the Copyright Law)
July 20, 2025, 8:22 pm
Head of anti-Hamas Gaza militia says it’s backed by vast tribal network, not by Israel
Yasser Abu Shabab tells British media he’s just an ordinary Palestinian trying to help his people, dreams of Strip being open to world, including Israel, after the war
By ToI Staff
Hamas gunmen at the expected handover of the bodies of four dead hostages, including Shiri Bibas and her two young children, in Khan Younis, south Gaza on February 20, 2025 (Saeed Mohammed/Flash90)
July 7, 2025, 2:40 pm
Senior Hamas commander says group’s control over Gaza has ‘completely collapsed’
BBC report quotes wounded Hamas officer as saying terror group struggling to pay salaries, has lost control of 80% of Gaza and has seen nearly all senior leadership figures killed
By ToI Staff, Emanuel Fabian and AFP
Sgt. Yaniv Michalovitch, 19, of the 7th Armored Brigade. (Israel Defense Forces)
July 2, 2025, 10:58 pm
Soldier killed in northern Gaza, 3 others seriously hurt; rockets fired at Sderot
Slain soldier named as Sgt. Yaniv Michalovitch, 19; Palestinian media claims head of Gaza City hospital killed in IDF strike alongside wife, 3 kids; 7 allegedly killed near aid site
By Stav Levaton, Nurit Yohanan, AFP and ToI Staff
A gunman from the Abu Ziyad clan, who appeared in a video in which the family demanded that Hamas hand over operatives responsible for killing one of its relatives. June 2025. (screen capture: Facebook, 27a clause of the copyright law)
July 2, 2025, 4:53 pm
Threats or nuisance? After years of cooperation, some Gaza clans rise up against Hamas
As the war drags on and aid supplies are increasingly precious, large, heavily armed clans in the southern Strip are openly defying the terror group. Could they be viable partners for Israel?
By Nurit Yohanan
People walking next to pictures of hostages held by terrorists in Gaza, in Jerusalem, July 2, 2025 (Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)
July 2, 2025, 2:28 pm
Responding to Trump, Hamas says Gaza deal must ‘clearly lead to complete end’ of war
PM stresses that goals of eliminating Hamas and freeing hostages ‘work together’; 14 said killed in strikes in Gaza; Hamas gives boss of clan armed by Israel 10 days to surrender
By Agencies, ToI Staff and Nurit Yohanan
Illustrative: Hamas gunmen stand in formation ahead of a hostage release in Deir al-Balah, in the central Gaza Strip, February 8, 2025. (AP Photo/Abdel Kareem Hana)
June 27, 2025, 7:32 pm
Weakened Hamas faces rebel clans, doubts over Tehran’s backing after Israel-Iran war
Hamas needs a truce so it can address humanitarian crisis, quash growing dissent and regain control of Strip amid rise of Israeli-backed clan, sources close to the terror group say
By Reuters and ToI Staff
Load More

Sign in or Join The Times of Israel Community

Sign in or Register

Paying ToI Community members are invited to comment on articles
Please use the following structure: example@domain.com
Or Continue with
By joining you agree to the terms and conditions
Register to continue
Or Continue with
Log in to continue
Sign in or Join The Times of Israel Community
Sign in or Register
Only ToI Community members can comment below articles
Forgot your password? / Send me a login link
Or Continue with
check your email
Check your email
We sent an email to you at .
It has a link that will sign you in.
Join The Times of Israel Community
Commenting is available for paying members of The Times of Israel Community only. Please join our Community to comment and enjoy other Community benefits.
Please use the following structure: example@domain.com
Confirm Mail
Thank you! Now check your email
You are now a member of The Times of Israel Community! We sent you an email with a login link to . Once you're set up, you can start enjoying Community benefits and commenting.
Back to top
Never miss breaking news on Israel
Get notifications to stay updated
You're subscribed
image
Register for free
and continue reading
Registering allows you to manage your newsletters and alerts and helps us improve your experience. It takes just a few seconds.
Already registered? Enter your email to sign in.
Please use the following structure: example@domain.com
Or Continue with
By registering you agree to the terms and conditions. Once registered, you’ll receive our Daily Edition email for free.
Register to continue
Or Continue with
Log in to continue
Sign in or Register
I forgot my password / Send me a sign in link
Or Continue with
check your email
Check your email
We sent an email to you at .
It has a link that will sign you in.