The leader of a Palestinian armed faction operating in the Gaza Strip has publicly acknowledged collaborating with the Israeli military, a rare and controversial admission that has sparked outrage among Palestinian groups.
Yasser Abu Shabab, who heads a group known as the Popular Forces, told Makan—Israel’s Arabic-language public radio—that his fighters operate with the knowledge of the Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) in areas under Israeli control.
“We inform them of our movements but carry out operations independently,” Abu Shabab said during the interview, suggesting a form of tactical cooperation with Israeli forces on the ground.
While he did not explicitly confirm Israeli backing, Abu Shabab revealed that his group receives “logistical and financial assistance from several parties,” adding, “There are matters we cannot speak about publicly.”
Last month, Israeli officials confirmed that they had been supporting Palestinian groups opposed to Hamas, although none were specifically named.
Local media, however, pointed to Abu Shabab’s Popular Forces as the recipients.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu defended the move, claiming it helps protect Israeli troops. “It is only good; it saves the lives of Israeli soldiers,” he said.
But the revelation has triggered sharp criticism within Israel itself. Former defence minister and Knesset member Avigdor Lieberman condemned the practice, accusing the government of arming “criminals and thugs.”
The European Council on Foreign Relations has described Abu Shabab as a gang leader from the Rafah area in southern Gaza, suspected of stealing aid shipments—a claim he did not address in the interview. Instead, Abu Shabab asserted that his sole mission is to topple Hamas and replace it with alternative leadership in the besieged territory.
“We have no ideological or political affiliation,” he said, labelling Hamas as a corrupt and unjust regime. “We will keep fighting, regardless of the cost in blood. Hamas is crumbling—they know the end is coming.”
His growing presence has drawn a stern response from Hamas authorities. On Wednesday, a Hamas-run military court issued a ten-day ultimatum for Abu Shabab to surrender, accusing him of treason and other offences.
On Sunday, a coalition of prominent Palestinian families also condemned the Popular Forces, branding them traitors.
“They are openly collaborating with the occupier and are rejected by our entire people,” the statement read. “We will show no mercy to them or anyone who aids the enemy.”
