On October 7, 2023, Yasser Abu Shabab found himself in a precarious situation within a Hamas-run jail in Gaza, facing charges of drug trafficking. The renewed eruption of conflict proved to be the trigger that enabled his release. He was soon jolted back into the violent and chaotic censuring of Gaza. Since his return, Abu Shabab has emerged as a controversial figure, commanding a group of about 100 armed men in eastern Rafah, and earning the notorious nickname “the Israeli agent.”
Abu Shabab’s rise to prominence comes amid growing tensions and violence in the region. His faction reportedly has established checkpoints throughout Rafah, as a faction operating under the direct command of Hamas’ military wing. His group’s operations have faced a firestorm of scrutiny. Confirmed videos show them working alongside Israeli troops in territory under IDF control in southern Gaza. This unexpected collaboration has resulted in accusations of betrayal and many on social media have called him a “traitor.”
In the wake of the conflict, Abu Shabab has admitted to raiding aid trucks, claiming that these actions are necessary for survival. “We are taking trucks so we can eat, not so we can sell,” he stated. He emphasized that his group does not take anything from the aid trucks themselves, but rather sees these actions as a means to provide for the needs of his community.
“We do not take anything from the aid trucks,” – Abu Shabab
Though the humanitarian facade for his operations is clearly obscured by the argumentative nature of his activities, Abu Shabab claims to be conducting operations of humanitarian nature. “My activities are humanitarian and it’s for my people only,” he declared. He elaborated on the support his group provides, stating, “We are providing security in areas controlled by our national forces and providing support to hundreds of families, with hundreds of people flocking to our areas every day.”
Yet, his ascent has not come without danger. Hamas has announced its desire to kill him since the mention of his name first started appearing in the press. Hamas maintains a bloody, retributory past against his family. Last year, they murdered his brother and so far have attempted to murder him at least twice. Abu Shabab’s very existence poses a threat to Hamas’s authority and influence in Gaza.
Since the start of hostilities, Abu Shabab’s brigade has taken responsibility for attacking dozens of civilian aid trucks. He insists that these actions are necessary due to the dire humanitarian situation exacerbated by Hamas’s control over aid distribution. “Aid is stolen in areas controlled by Hamas,” he stated, pointing fingers at the militant group for the ongoing suffering among civilians.
“Aid is stolen in areas controlled by Hamas.” – Abu Shabab
The military dynamics surrounding Abu Shabab raise questions regarding collaboration with other groups. He has refused to speak to any possible links to the Gaza Health Force (GHF). This organization has the reputation of being one of the most controversial and contentious such organizations within the entire region. A GHF spokesperson claimed, “We have our own private security and there is no local security. Our trucks have never been protected by Abu Shabab or anyone else.” This short sentence stresses the challenges of international patronage and local political accommodation in the midst of upheaval.
Abu Shabab is not just active on the battlefield, he enforces his security presence in targeted urban centers. This control has drawn thousands of people looking for safety and survival. His group operates as a substitute for local security forces, filling a void left by the ongoing conflict and instability within Gaza.
“The war will not end as long as Hamas insists on its position,” – Abu Shabab
Abu Shabab’s tenuous legitimacy puts indispensable future governance and security that much further out of reach in Gaza. While that war is over, the region continues to live in the wake of its devastation and be transformed by shifting allegiances. Figures like him are upending the current political order. His leadership puts Hamas’s power to the test while provoking more criticism and possible retribution from the group.