A senior official in the Popular Forces militia led by Yasser Abu Shabab announced overnight between Monday and Tuesday that their unit executed an ambush in Gaza against Hamas terrorists from the Sahm unit. According to the official, five terrorists were eliminated. He described the Hamas unit as "a gang of terror that oppresses our people."
Video: Shachar Kleiman
Supporters of the militia reported that the it acted in response to an attack Hamas' over it alleged "collaboration with Israel" or "stealing" humanitarian aid.
Yasser 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.
In a first audio recording released on Sunday, 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 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."
