Israel-aligned Gazan militia operating in Rafah tunnels, aim to disarm Hamas

Abu Shabab, named for their founder, Yasser Abu Shabab, is an anti-Hamas, Israel-aligned resistance group operating within the Gaza Strip.

Ghassan Duhine, head of the Abu Shabab militia in the Gaza Strip, revealed that his forces were operating within Hamas tunnels in Rafah, KAN News reported on Friday.

According to a Thursday Facebook post from Duhine, the anti-Hamas militia has begun dismantling the tunnels, which they consider to be the most impactful weapon Hamas possesses. "Afterwards," he added, "we'll destroy weapon manufacturing, rockets, and finally move onto guns."

Earlier this week, KAN also confirmed that Abu Shabab, also known as the Popular Forces, would be involved in the security protocols surrounding the recently-reopened Rafah Crossing.

IDF kills four Hamas terrorists who tried to cross Israeli defense lines from Rafah tunnel

Hamas terrorists used a tunnel to try to penetrate Israeli defense lines in Gaza, the IDF announced on Monday.

The attempt was made in eastern Rafah, which is within the Israeli side of the Yellow Line, the 53% of the Gaza Strip is currently under IDF control.

During the incident, four Hamas terrorists exited a tunnel and opened fire on the 7th Armored Brigade.

The soldiers returned fire, killing the four attackers.

It was unclear whether the Hamas move was a coordinated attack or the fighters had been hiding in the tunnel areas in Rafah for months and were slowly cornered by ongoing IDF tunnel-clearing activities until they were forced out in the open.

What is the Abu Shabab group?

Abu Shabab, named for their founder, Yasser Abu Shabab, is an anti-Hamas, Israel-aligned resistance group operating within the Gaza Strip.

Ghassan Duhine took over leadership of the group after Yasser Abu Shabab died in December, when he was killed while trying to solve a local clan dispute, not by members of Hamas.

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The group's stated goal is "to meet the need for civilian protection, humanitarian aid distribution, and securing areas that will not fall victim to terror or local extremism," Abu Shabab said in a conversation with Walla before his death.

"We will protect civilians, create international pressure, and push for an end to the violence that no one wants to escalate."

Yonah Jeremy Bob and Jerusalem Post Staff contributed to this report.