In a region torn by war and weakened authority, a controversial figure is rising from the ashes of southern Gaza: Yasser Abu Shabab, the self-declared commander of a growing militia known as the Popular Forces.
A lean man often seen in military gear, Abu Shabab claims he leads hundreds of armed volunteers dedicated to protecting humanitarian aid routes and workers near the critical Kerem Shalom crossing. But opinions on his legitimacy—and his loyalties—are sharply divided.
From Prisoner to Powerbroker
Just two years ago, on October 7, 2023, Abu Shabab was behind bars in a Hamas-run prison on drug trafficking charges. His fortunes changed abruptly with the outbreak of conflict, as he was released amidst the chaos and soon emerged as a commanding presence in southern Gaza.
Today, his forces provide armed escorts for international aid convoys, including those from the World Food Programme and UN agencies, claiming to protect supplies from both organized gangs and desperate civilians.
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A Force Backed by Israel?
The complexity deepens with reports from Israeli officials confirming that Abu Shabab’s militia is part of a broader Israeli effort to empower non-Hamas factions inside Gaza. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu recently admitted that Israel has been “activating clans opposed to Hamas,” though he did not mention Abu Shabab by name.
Despite this, Abu Shabab insists his group has received no Israeli weapons or support. “We rely on simple tools—equipment passed down through generations or assembled from local resources,” he told CNN.
Yet analysts and video evidence place him in areas under Israeli control, often interacting with UN staff and aid convoys near buffer zones—raising questions about how his movements are permitted.
Viewed as a Traitor by Hamas
Hamas has publicly condemned Abu Shabab, calling him a “criminal and a collaborator.” The militant group claims to have attempted to assassinate him multiple times and is accused of killing his brother in retaliation. In contrast, Abu Shabab accuses Hamas of murdering several of his own volunteers during aid missions.
Muhammad Shehada, a senior fellow at the European Council on Foreign Relations, suggests that Abu Shabab’s growing influence and high-quality social media output may be part of a larger psy-op campaign—potentially managed from outside Gaza.
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Humanitarian Work or Political Pawn?
Abu Shabab’s forces have reportedly secured over 100 aid trucks since mid-May 2025, mostly transporting flour, and deployed 200 armed men to protect deliveries. His role has now expanded beyond escorting convoys.
Satellite imagery confirms the construction of tent camps near Rafah, not far from where his group maintains checkpoints. These camps lie in the Morag Corridor, a zone the Israeli military has marked as a “safe area” for displaced Gazans.
The timing aligns with statements from Israeli ministers and far-right leaders, like Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, suggesting plans to relocate Gaza’s population into confined zones under tighter Israeli oversight.
Who Really Supports Him?
Despite using Palestinian flags and insignia, Abu Shabab denies any official link to the Palestinian Authority. Major General Anwar Rajab of the Palestinian Security Forces confirmed there is no connection between the PA and the Popular Forces.
Even his own Abu Shabab family has publicly disavowed him. In a fiery statement, they accused him of collaborating with the Israeli occupation and stated, “We have no objection to those around him eliminating him immediately; his blood is wasted.”
Abu Shabab responded by labeling the statement “false and fabricated,” blaming a targeted media campaign and alleging Hamas intimidation and assassinations.
Limited Reach but Strategic Value
Despite bold claims of receiving “hundreds of daily enlistment requests,” analysts estimate Abu Shabab commands no more than 300 fighters. His reach is confined to select areas, though there are signs of expansion toward Khan Younis, under indirect Israeli support.
Still, most Gazans remain skeptical or fearful of joining him, wary of being labeled collaborators by the broader community or targeted by militant factions.
A Tool of Occupation or a New Kind of Order?
Experts believe that Abu Shabab serves multiple strategic purposes for Israel’s Gaza policy:
- Regulating aid flow by determining who gets access.
- Encouraging movement into Israeli-approved safe zones.
- Conducting intelligence operations to expose Hamas fighters.
While the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) has denied any affiliation with the Popular Forces, reports suggest that some form of coordination—direct or indirect—may exist on the ground.
The Road Ahead
Yasser Abu Shabab remains a divisive figure in a rapidly shifting political landscape. To some, he is a protector of civilians amidst Gaza’s chaos. To others, he is a traitor working with the occupier.
But one truth is clear: in a power vacuum left by the weakening of Hamas, new forces are filling the gap, and Abu Shabab’s rise could mark a radical redefinition of authority, survival, and allegiance in Gaza’s future.
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