Sources say that the leader of a gang opposed to Hamas, who was armed by Israel, was killed in Gaza.

The head of a militia opposing Hamas and supported by Israel has been killed in Gaza, according to three Israeli sources speaking to CNN. Yasser Abu Shabab, who commanded a group controlling a sector of Rafah in southern Gaza, died amid what one source described as internal disputes.

Abu Shababs deputy, Ghassan al-Dahini, sent a message via Facebook claiming the leader was still alive, contradicting reports of his death.

Two of the sources stated that Israel attempted to transfer Abu Shabab to a hospital in southern Israel, but he was declared dead before reaching it. Israel had intended to use his militia, known as the Popular Forces, to oversee reconstruction projects in Gaza as part of the upcoming ceasefire phase.

In the final months of the conflict, Abu Shababs militia managed aid distribution from the Kerem Shalom crossing in southern Gaza. Hamas, which had previously threatened him, has not issued a statement regarding his death. A Hamas-affiliated channel posted on Telegram, warning, As we said, Israel cannot shield you.

Images circulated on multiple Gaza messaging platforms showed some Palestinians celebrating Abu Shababs death. One photo, obtained by CNN, depicted his image marked with a red X and labeled with derogatory terms.

Abu Shabab led one of several loosely structured Palestinian militias supported by Israel, whose members primarily remained in Israeli-controlled areas. His group, reportedly numbering in the hundreds, conducted raids into Hamas-held territory before retreating under Israeli protection, according to Muhammad Shehada, a Gaza analyst at the European Council on Foreign Relations.

In the absence of a clear post-war governance strategy for Gaza, Israel has continued to arm these factions, which control small zones across the enclave. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has described the militias as beneficial, despite criticism from political opponents who liken them to extremist groups.

According to two Israeli officials, the ongoing program to arm militias including Abu Shababs was authorized without formal security cabinet approval.

Author: Harper Simmons