UPDATE - Israeli-backed militia confirms death of its leader in Gaza

ADDS STATEMENT FROM ABU SHABAB’S TRIBE

By Betul Yilmaz and Yasin Gungor

ISTANBUL (AA) – An Israeli-backed militia confirmed Thursday the death of its leader, Yasser Abu Shabab, in tribal clashes in the Gaza Strip.

The Popular Forces militia said in a statement that Abu Shabab was shot while attempting to resolve a dispute between members of a Palestinian family.

It denied reports that the militia leader was killed by members of the Palestinian group Hamas in Gaza.

Hamas called Abu Shabab’s death “the inevitable fate of anyone who betrayed his people and his country.”

The group said the criminal acts committed by Abu Shabab and his gang in coordination with the Israeli army “constituted a blatant departure from the national and social identity.”

Hamas hailed the firm stance of Palestinian families and tribes against Abu Shabab and “all those involved in assaulting their own people or collaborating with the (Israeli) occupation.”

The Bedouin Tarabin tribe in Gaza, which Abu Shabab was a member of, said the killing of Abu Shabab signified the end of "a page of shame that does not reflect the tribe's history and stance."

The tribe drew a clear line between itself and Abu Shabab's actions while reaffirming its continued support for the Palestinian resistance.

In June, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu publicly admitted supporting Abu Shabab’s militia in Gaza following comments by a former minister that Israel had transferred weapons to it.

The Gaza Government Media Office has repeatedly accused "Israeli-backed armed gangs" of looting scarce humanitarian aid entering the besieged enclave.

Israel has killed more than 70,000 people, mostly women and children, and injured nearly 171,000 others in attacks in Gaza since October 2023.