In a first audio recording released on Sunday, Yasser Abu Shabab denies ties to Israel, despite Israel Hayom reporting on Israeli efforts to arm his group to counter Hamas, describes the situation in the Gaza Strip, and outlined his demands.
The statement was first reported on X by the Center for Peace Communications.
Abu Shabab, a member of the Tarabin tribe known for past cooperation with the Islamic State, now leads an armed force of hundreds in Rafah that seizes humanitarian aid trucks and accuses Hamas of "looting supplies." The terrorist organization is furious and has attempted to eliminate this emerging force.
The Gaza warlord said tried in the video to position his "Popular Forces" as protectors of the Palestinian people against what he calls Hamas's "terrorism" and "unacceptable control."
He appealed for the creation of an expanded humanitarian corridor to allow the safe return of thousands of displaced Palestinians. Additionally, he proposed that the Palestinian intelligence services oversee entries into areas under their control to ensure no terrorist elements infiltrate and undermine their efforts to liberate themselves from Hamas's rule.
Abu Shabab dismissed allegations of his group's connections with foreign states or political entities, describing such claims as attempts to tarnish their image. He categorically denied any links to Israel or the IDF, stating that their armaments were inherited from the Tarabin Bedouin tribe and that their security apparatus is financed through personal initiatives and donations.
The declaration comes amid recent armed clashes between Abu Shabab's militia and Hamas terrorists , reportedly over the control of humanitarian aid distribution centers. The conflict has taken on a significant new dimension, with Israeli officials confirming they are supplying weapons to some Palestinian groups, including Abu Shabab's, in an effort to weaken Hamas's grip on the Gaza Strip.
In the recording, released by The Center for Peace Communications, Abu Shabab vehemently denied any collaboration with Israel. "We have not and will not work with the occupation," he stated. "Regarding claims about our relationship with the occupation: we have not met any officers nor do we have any relations with the occupation."
EXCLUSIVE: Gazan militia leader Yasir Abu Shabab issues first public statement.
"We aim to protect Palestinians from Hamas's terrorism … and expand into other areas controlled by Hamas."
Watch: pic.twitter.com/yQCzQ2pQ5o
— Center for Peace Communications (@PeaceComCenter) June 8, 2025
He claimed that any potential coordination would be strictly "humanitarian for the benefit of our people in the eastern area of Rafah, through intermediary channels."
Abu Shabab's primary message was a direct indictment of Hamas's governance. "Our goal is to protect Palestinian human rights from Hamas' terrorism," he said, demanding that the group "step down from governance, especially after hundreds of protests demanding their departure."
He also accused Hamas of initiating the violence, alleging they attacked his positions and killed civilians. "They attacked our positions several times and killed about 25 innocent people, including children, women, and the disabled, because we stopped the theft that was being carried out by individuals and associations affiliated with them under a humanitarian cover," he claimed, calling on "relevant authorities" to investigate these alleged "massacres."
Throughout the statement, Abu Shabab attempted to frame his Popular Forces as a legitimate, grassroots movement. He said his group is funded by "individual efforts and donations" and that their "primitive weapons" were inherited from local tribes. He presented his operation as a humanitarian project, stating that "hundreds of families" are heading to areas under his control daily to escape "war and famine."
He made a direct appeal for international assistance to bolster his efforts. "We demand more support for our humanitarian project to save our people in the Gaza Strip," he said, also requesting "modest military support to arm the new volunteers" and the establishment of a larger, internationally supervised humanitarian corridor for the safe return of displaced residents.
The emergence of armed figures like Abu Shabab, apparently backed by Israel, marks a potential shift in the internal dynamics of Gaza. While he publicly distances himself from the Israeli military, his ability to openly challenge Hamas could suggest the Gaza rulers may be losing their grip on the enclave.
Earlier this month, the Palestinian militia issued a statement saying: "The Israeli media published false claims that our forces received weapons from the occupation. We completely reject this accusation and see it as a blatant attempt to distort the image of the popular force, which was born from suffering and stands against injustice, looting, and corruption. Our weapons are simple weapons obtained through donations from our people. We were not and will not be a tool of the occupation."
