The Revolutionary Court in the Gaza Strip gave Yasser Abu Shabab, who during the war founded an armed group opposed to Hamas east of Rafah, 10 days to surrender himself.
The court said: “We have decided, in accordance with the provisions of the Palestinian Penal Code No. 16 of 1960 and the Revolutionary Procedures Law of 1979, to grant the accused Yasser Jihad Mansour Abu Shabab, born on February 27, 1990, holding ID number 802621169, a resident of Rafah, a period of ten days from today, Wednesday, July 2, 2025, to surrender himself to the competent authorities for trial before the judicial authorities.”
The court charged Abu Shabab with “treason and communicating with hostile parties, in violation of Article 131,” as well as “forming an armed gang, in violation of Article 176.”
Among the charges against Abu Shabab, as stated in the court memorandum, is “armed rebellion in violation of Article 168.” The court stated that if he does not surrender, “he will be considered a fugitive from justice and will be tried in absentia.” The ruling concluded by stating, “Anyone who knows of his whereabouts must report him, otherwise he will be considered a cover-up for a criminal fugitive from justice.”
Over the past few days, armed clashes have erupted between Hamas activists and the Abu Shabab group, which operates close to the Israeli occupation forces advancing east of Rafah. Hamas claimed to have killed several members of that group. A few days ago, Abu Shabab, who leads the group calling itself the "Popular Forces," announced that he was investigating a number of Hamas activists he had kidnapped.
Abu Shabab's name has become increasingly prominent in recent times, after he called on residents of the eastern areas of Rafah to return and reside there. He coordinated with him after he formed the armed group, which is said to have established administrations to regulate the situation there, with Israeli support. On his group's Facebook page, Abu Shabab posted photos from his areas of influence showing him setting up tents for families to live in, as well as photos of him distributing food aid to them.
Abu Shabab denies any connection to the occupation, claiming that his weapons are tribal weapons and that he coordinates with the "legitimate Palestinian Authority." However, his tribe, the Tarabin, has disowned him, while the Palestinian Authority has not indicated any coordination with Abu Shabab. He has previously been accused of plundering humanitarian aid entering Gaza.
Due to its proximity to Israeli military positions, Hamas activists were unable to reach it. On one occasion during the previous ceasefire, drones attacked the movement's activists, forcing them to turn back before reaching Abu Shabab's area of influence.
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The Revolutionary Court accuses Yasser Abu Shabab of "treason" and gives him 10 days to surrender.