Hamas Court Orders Gaza Militia Leader Abu Shabab to Surrender or Face Trial

The Hamas-run Revolutionary Court in Gaza has issued a 10-day ultimatum to Yasser Abu Shabab, leader of a well-armed Bedouin clan in Rafah accused of collaborating with Israel, to surrender or face trial in absentia on charges including treason, forming an armed gang, armed rebellion, and looting humanitarian aid. Abu Shabab, who escaped prison during the Israeli assault on Gaza in October 2023, is accused of working with Israeli intelligence to organize an armed network and of targeting Palestinian resistance members while controlling aid shipments. Despite the court's order and Hamas' attempts to assassinate him, Abu Shabab has not surrendered and his group denies Israeli backing, claiming to protect humanitarian aid from looting and accusing Hamas of violence and suppressing dissent. Hamas has called on Gazans to report his whereabouts, threatening to treat anyone withholding information as harboring a fugitive. The clan operates in areas under Israeli control, and Israel has acknowledged arming local groups to undermine Hamas, though it has not confirmed direct support for Abu Shabab. The situation highlights the complex and violent internal power struggles in Gaza amid the ongoing conflict.