The Hamas-run Interior Ministry in Gaza has issued a 10-day ultimatum to Yasser Abu Shabab, the leader of the Abu Shabab clan, demanding that he surrender to Hamas authorities for prosecution.
Hamas, in an official statement, accused Abu Shabab of treason, forming an illegal armed group, and leading an armed rebellion against its rule.
The Abu Shabab gang operates in western Rafah, an area currently under Israeli security control, and is reportedly supported by Israel.
Recent footage released by the clan shows its members securing humanitarian aid and constructing residential compounds in the area.
Israeli officials have recently confirmed that weapons were transferred to certain local actors in Gaza, including the Abu Shabab group, in a bid to weaken Hamas’s grip on the territory.
Hamas did not specify what actions it would take if Abu Shabab fails to comply with the ultimatum, though reports from local media suggest that the group has already made multiple failed assassination attempts against him.
Abu Shabab’s group has been previously linked to drug trafficking and looting humanitarian aid, activities that further strain its relationship with Hamas.
The ministry also urged the public to provide any information on his location.
While clan-based structures and smaller groups exist in Gaza, Hamas maintains tight control over political activity and dissent, often cracking down harshly on perceived collaborators and opposition, including through executions.
