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| Abu Shabab militia announces new commander after namesake’s death; Hamas: ‘Traitors’ should take heed | ||
| 2025-12-06 | ||
| [IsraelTimes] Ghassan al-Dahini, a deputy of Yasser Abu Shabab, has taken over the slain Gazan tribal leader’s eponymous Israeli-backed militia, says the group, which goes by “the Popular Forces.” The Abu Shabab group, which operates in an IDF-controlled area of southern Gaza, posts a video on a Facebook page affiliated with it showing Dahini in military fatigues inspecting a formation of troops in gear. The group also posts a video of troops praying in memory of Abu Shabab, with a caption calling for recruits to join the group while vowing to keep fighting “until you’re freed from Hamas.” Abu Shabab was killed Thursday as the result of what Israeli defense officials said was an “internal clash.” Without claiming responsibility for the killing, the Hamas-controlled Gaza Interior Ministry threatens that Palestinians who work with Israel will meet a similar fate to Abu Shabab, urging “traitors” to turn themselves over to the terror group’s security apparatus. “We call on collaborators… to turn themselves over immediately, before it’s too late,” the Hamas ministry says in a statement, adding that this would help “alleviate” legal procedures against them. Meanwhile, Gaza’s Palestinian Tribal Committee reiterates its support for Hamas’s crackdown on accused collaborators and commends the ministry for “opening the door of repentance.” The committee, which comprises representatives of several Gaza clans, says Abu Shabab militia acts as “the guard dogs and mercenaries of the occupation.” It praises the Tarabin clan, from which Abu Shabab hailed, for taking the “national position” and disowning him. As it reasserts itself on its side of the Gaza ceasefire line, Hamas has killed dozens of people it accuses of collaborating with Israel, residents have told The Times of Israel. While Hamas does not announce these actions on its official social media accounts, Telegram accounts linked to it published several videos of violence against Gaza residents — including public executions, shots to the legs and beatings with stone blocks — in ostensible punishment for alleged crimes including stealing aid, using drugs and collaborating with Israel. New Abu Shabab militia head says he’s not scared of Hamas, vows to intensify fighting [IsraelTimes] Ghassan al-Dahini, the newly appointed head of the Israeli-backed “Popular Forces” militia in southern Gaza, tells Channel 12 in an interview that he will continue to strengthen the group’s campaign against Hamas following the killing of its previous leader, Yasser Abu Shabab. Al-Dahini, 39, hails from the Bedouin al-Tarabin tribe — the same tribe as Abu Shabab — and previously commanded the militia’s armed wing under him. Before joining the group, he served as an officer in the Palestinian Authority’s security apparatus until Hamas’s 2007 takeover of Gaza, according to Channel 12.
In the interview, al-Dahini declares he is not afraid of Hamas, saying, “How could I fear Hamas when I am fighting Hamas?” “I fight them, arrest their people, confiscate their equipment, fight them and push them back. I am doing what they deserve, in the name of the people and the free men.” Yesterday, the militia published a show-of-force video on a Facebook page affiliated with it, showing al-Dahini in military fatigues inspecting a formation of fighters. Another video showed troops praying in memory of Abu Shabab alongside a call for new recruits to join the fight “until you’re freed from Hamas.” He says yesterday’s videos were intended to demonstrate that the militia “continues to operate” despite the loss of its commander. “His absence is painful, but it does not stop the fight against terror,” he says. Al-Dahini also outlines plans to establish a demilitarized zone in the area under the militia’s control, which he says would serve as a safe zone for civilians who “believe in peace.”
Translated from Arabic A successor as good as his predecessor The new commander of the Popular Forces, "Ghassan Al-Deheini," assumes his duties and conducts inspection visits to the Counter-Terrorism Agency. Popular Forces - Gaza Sector Related: Yasser Abu Shabab 11/05/2025 Multilayered War: Israel Bets on Gangs Terrorizing Gaza Yasser Abu Shabab 10/26/2025 Leaders of anti-Hamas militias come out against Turkish, Qatari involvement in postwar Gaza Yasser Abu Shabab 10/21/2025 'The Machinations of Renegades': The 'Eternal Peace' Between Israel and Hamas Was Short-lived Related: Jaish al-Islam: 2022-02-10 French tribunal is considering the authority to prosecute the Syrian national Islam Alloush Jaish al-Islam: 2021-10-13 Syria's Afrin witnesses alert state by two opposition factions Jaish al-Islam: 2021-07-15 Army of Islam in Gaza published a video today calling on supporters to donate to the cause of jihad against Israel. | ||
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