2025 Rafah ambush

2025 Rafah ambush
Part of Hamas–Popular Forces conflict and Palestinian internal political violence
Date 4 December 2025 Location Popular Forces' base, Rafah, Popular Forces' territory Result Successful ambush Yasser Abu Shabab is shot and wounded and eventually dies in Beersheba, Israel High casualties reported on both sides
Belligerents
Abu Suneima family	Popular Forces
Commanders and leaders
Unknown	Yasser Abu Shabab  (DOW) Ghassan Duhine (WIA)
Units involved
Unknown	Unknown
Strength
Unknown	Unknown
Casualties and losses
High casualties reported on both sides.

On 4 December 2025, clashes between the Abu Suneima family ^[1] and the Israeli-backed Popular Forces militia took place near Rafah in the Gaza Strip ^{[2] [3] [4]} which resulted in the subsequent death of Yasser Abu Shabab, the leader of the Popular Forces. ^{[5] [6]}

Background

Yasser Abu Shabab was a Palestinian militant leader who led an armed group called the Popular Forces. His group controlled parts of eastern Rafah and set up a rival government against the Hamas government during the ongoing Gaza war. ^{[7] [8] [9] [10]}

He was dubbed the "Pablo Escobar of Gaza" by critics because of his past involvement in drug smuggling and his powerful role in local armed politics. ^{[11] [12] [13]}

Attack

The Popular Forces reportedly took an individual hostage from the Abu Suneima family a local family. ^[1] Following the hostage taking, the local family responded by attacking a Popular Forces base in Rafah which caused heavy casualties on both sides. ^[14] The attackers allegedly chanted pro-Hamas slogans. ^[15]

Aftermath

Leader of the Popular Forces, Yasser Abu Shabab, succumbed to his wounds while being transported to the Soroka Medical Center in Beersheba, Israel; ^[16] the hospital has denied that he died under their care. ^[17] Deputy Commander of the group, Ghassan Duhine, was also wounded in action. ^{[2] [3] [4]}

Ynet reported that Abu Shabab was killed due to an internal dispute within the Popular Forces, ^{[18] [19]} however the group itself claims that he was killed while trying to resolve a dispute in a local family. ^[16]

Reactions

In an official statement, the Popular Forces had dismissed claims that its former leader, Yasser Abu Shabab's death, was caused by a Hamas attack. ^[16] The group also claimed to continue in Yasser Abu Shabab's path. ^[16]

Later on the day of the ambush, the Hamas-affiliated internal security force, Quwwat al-Rada'a (also known as "The Deterrence Force"), posted a picture of Yasser Abu Shabab on its Telegram channel, captioned: "As we told you, 'Israel won't protect you'." ^[20]

Husam al-Astal, leader of the Counter-Terrorism Strike Force claimed that Yasser Abu Shabab was killed due personal matters or a dispute with money. ^[21]

References

1. "Client Challenge". www.ft.com. Retrieved 5 December 2025.
2. "Anti-Hamas militia leader Yasser Abu Shabab killed in Gaza Strip - reports". Sky News. 4 December 2025. Retrieved 4 December 2025.
3. Yehoshua, Yossi; Halabi, Einav; Eichner, Itamar; Zitun, Yoav (4 December 2025). "Gaza militia leader working with Israel in Rafah killed in shooting". Ynet. Retrieved 4 December 2025.
4. "Gaza militia chief Yasser Abu Shabab 'killed in Rafah shooting'". The New Arab. 4 December 2025. Retrieved 4 December 2025.
5. Staff, Al Jazeera. "Gaza militia leader accused of collaborating with Israel killed: Reports". Al Jazeera English. Retrieved 4 December 2025.
6. "Prominent Gaza militia leader Abu Shabab dies in clashes, security source says". Haaretz. 4 December 2025.
7. Hasson, Nir (26 May 2025). "'Anti-terror Service': New Palestinian Militia Operating in South Gaza, Local Sources Say". Haaretz. Retrieved 4 June 2025.
8. Tondo, Lorenzo (5 June 2025). "Israel accused of arming Palestinian gang who allegedly looted aid in Gaza". The Guardian. ISSN   0261-3077 . Retrieved 6 June 2025.
9. Eichner, Itamar; Halabi, Einav (5 June 2025). "Liberman accuses Netanyahu of arming ISIS-linked militias in Gaza; PM's office offers no denial". Ynetnews. Retrieved 6 June 2025.
10. "Netanyahu Says Israel Fighting Hamas 'In Various Ways' Amid Claims It Armed ISIS-affiliated Gaza Militia". Haaretz. 5 June 2025.
11. "Exclusive: Abu Shabab forces emerge as new militia in Gaza to challenge Hamas' control". Euronews. 10 July 2025.
12. Fakti.bg. "Pablo Escobar in Gaza: New Palestinian group working with the Israeli army challenges Hamas control" . Retrieved 12 July 2025.
13. "Gaza's Pablo Escobar: Yasser Abu Shabab's Ascent to the Abyss". The Palestine Chronicle. 9 October 2025. Retrieved 10 October 2025.
14. Burke, Jason (4 December 2025). "Yasser abu Shabab, leader of Israel-backed militia, killed in Gaza". The Guardian. ISSN   0261-3077 . Retrieved 4 December 2025.
15. "Anti-Hamas Abu Shabab militia head killed in Gaza gunfight". The Jerusalem Post. 4 December 2025. Retrieved 4 December 2025.
16. "Yasser Abu Shabab: Anti-Hamas militia leader killed in Gaza". www.bbc.com. 4 December 2025. Retrieved 4 December 2025.
17. "Prominent Gaza militia leader Abu Shabab dies in clashes, security source says". Haaretz. 4 December 2025.
18. Yehoshua, Yossi; Halabi, Einav; Eichner, Itamar; Zitun, Yoav (4 December 2025). "Gaza militia leader working with Israel in Rafah killed in shooting". Ynet. Retrieved 4 December 2025.
19. "Gaza militia chief Yasser Abu Shabab 'killed in Rafah shooting'". The New Arab. 4 December 2025. Retrieved 4 December 2025.
20. Staff, Al Jazeera. "Gaza militia leader accused of collaborating with Israel killed". Al Jazeera. Retrieved 5 December 2025.
21. "Israeli-backed militia leader killed in 'internal' clash in Gaza". The Washington Post. 4 December 2025. ISSN   0190-8286 . Retrieved 5 December 2025.