On 4 December 2025, clashes between the Abu Suneima family and the Israeli-backed Popular Forces militia took place in eastern Rafah in the Gaza Strip. The confrontation resulted in the death of Yasser Abu Shabab, the leader of the Popular Forces, after he was critically wounded in a gun battle stemming from a dispute over the detention of a member of the Abu Suneima family. 3 other people were killed or wounded in the fighting, including Ghassan Duhine.
The circumstances surrounding Abu Shabab's death were disputed. The Popular Forces stated that he was killed while attempting to mediate a family dispute, while other reports described the incident as an internal conflict involving members of the militia and the Abu Suneima family. Abu Shabab's killing was followed by retaliatory actions by the Popular Forces, the succession of Duhine as the group's leader, and public celebrations by Hamas supporters and some Palestinians in Gaza and Lebanon. Hamas authorities hailed the killing and launched a campaign encouraging members of Israeli-backed Palestinian militias to surrender.
Yasser Abu Shabab was a Palestinian militant leader who led an armed group called the Popular Forces. His group controlled parts of eastern Rafah and set up a rival government against the Hamas government during the Gaza war.
Abu Shabab's brother, Fathi, had previously been killed by the Arrow Unit in November 2024. In January 2025, Hamas executed one of his senior aides.
Family rejection and tribal repercussions
Abu Shabab's family disowned him for "supporting the Zionist occupation forces" and said they "have no objection to those around him liquidating him immediately". Members of Abu Shabab's extended family had also dissociated themselves from him due to his collaboration with Israel.
The Abu Suneima Family, which is based in East Rafah and whose members killed Abu Shabab, belong to the Tarabin Bedouin tribe, the same tribe as Yasser Abu Shabab.
Previous assassination attempts on Abu Shabab
Hamas had placed Abu Shabab in their top targets for assassination, which led to them twice trying to kill him, unsuccessfully.
During one unsuccessful attempt to ambush and assassinate Abu Shabab, militants fired approximately 90 bullets at a vehicle they thought belonged to him. The vehicle actually belonged to Islam Hijazi, a female aid worker of charity organization named Heal Palestine and she was accidentally killed in this incident by fighters who mistakenly thought she was Abu Shabab.
In another failed attempt in November 2024, Abu Shabab survived an assassination attempt by Hamas at the European Hospital in Khan Yunis. He managed to flee but two of his associates were killed.
Following an internal investigation, the Popular Forces' deputy leader, Ghassan Duhine, detained Juma Abu Suneima on the suspicion of diverting food supplies to Hamas militants. Juma's brother, Mahmoud Abu Suneima, who was responsible for overseeing the distribution of food to the Popular Forces and other local families, demanded his release.
Mahmoud later went to Abu Shabab's residence to demand Juma's release. He was reportedly informed that Juma faced three possible outcomes: continued detention, transfer to the Israeli military, or execution. The confrontation escalated into armed violence, during which Mahmoud opened fire. Abu Shabab was critically wounded and later died after being evacuated to Soroka Medical Center in Beersheba, Israel. Both Mahmoud and Juma were killed in the ensuing clashes with Ghassan Duhine also being wounded in his left leg. The attackers reportedly chanted pro-Hamas slogans.
The Abu Suneima family claimed responsibility for Abu Shabab's killing. The Abu Suneima Family, which is based in East Rafah, belongs to the Tarabin Bedouin tribe, ironically the same tribe as Yasser Abu Shabab.
Abu Shabab died of his wounds shortly before arriving at the Soroka Medical Center in Beersheba, Israel; the hospital has denied that he died under their care. Deputy Commander of the group, Ghassan Duhine, was also wounded in action.
Following Yasser Abu Shabab's death, Ghassan Duhine proclaimed himself the new leader of the Popular Forces.
Popular forces' counter-attacks
Duhine, who was wounded during the confrontation, received medical treatment in Israel before returning to oversee a series of executions. Those killed reportedly included Abu Shabab's bodyguards, who were accused of failing to intervene, as well as the gunman, his detained brother, and several others. Duhine also allegedly ordered attacks on homes belonging to the Abu Suneima family, during which several residents were wounded, mobile phones were confiscated, women were assaulted, and families were placed under lockdown.