Yasser Abu Shabab, an Israeli-backed smuggler and gang leader who commanded a Rafah-based anti-Hamas militant militia, was killed on Friday, Cradle newspaper reported, citing Hebrew-language media.
Israeli Army Radio and Channel 14 reported that the head of the so-called People’s Army militia was shot dead by an “armed group” in Rafah.
Sources cited by the Times of Israel said he was taken to an Israeli hospital after the crash and died from his injuries. Haaretz cited Soroka Hospital’s denial that Abu Shabab died in Gaza.
“The hospital said Abu Shabaab did not arrive,” Haaretz reported.
Israel’s Channel 12 reported that Abu Shabab was killed in “intra-tribal fighting.”
The Hamas-affiliated Ladder Force channel published an image of the gang leader with the caption: “We said: Israel will not protect you.”
Israel’s Channel 12 called his death a “disastrous failure” resulting from Tel Aviv’s short-term policy to find an alternative to Hamas in Gaza, adding that “eventually the militia collapsed, leaving Hamas.”
During the war, Abu Shabaab and its gang were armed and supported by Israel. His forces are behind the constant looting of humanitarian aid trucks, which Tel Aviv has launched a campaign to blame on Hamas.
Abu Shabaab militias also scouted Israeli forces ahead of the operation and repeatedly clashed with the resistance on behalf of Tel Aviv.
His group, called the People’s Army, is said to be the largest anti-Hamas militia currently operating in the Strip.
Abu Shabaab commanded around 2,000 fighters based in Rafah, which was destroyed and occupied by Israeli forces during the massacre.
Other groups backed by Israel include the Palestinian Authority-affiliated (PA) Bedouin Hossam al-Astar militia.