A powerful anti-Hamas clan leader protecting civilians in Gaza and allegedly backed by Israel has been murdered in Rafah, according to multiple reports.

Yasser Abu Shabab, head of the Abu Shabab militia, known locally as the “Popular Forces” of the Gaza Strip, had risen to prominence for his cooperation with Israel against Hamas’ influence in the region, according to analysts.

“Abu Shabab militia helped Israel to protect the locals and prevent Hamas from harming them,” Professor Kobi Michael, senior researcher at the Institute for National Security Studies (INSS) and the Misgav Institute told Fox News Digital.

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“Hamas has become deeply troubled because of these militias and makes its utmost efforts to dismantle them. It perceives them as a real threat, but the fact that Abu Shabab was murdered by a rival, Hamula, indicates that it will not be enough just to disarm Hamas.

“Still, without an effective alternative governance to Hamas, the Strip will deteriorate into chaos.”

As reported by Fox News Digital in July, Abu Shabab’s group began forming in early 2024 after the IDF entered Rafah and Hamas started to lose control of the area.

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Allegedly operating under Israeli protection, his men were escorting aid trucks, distributing supplies and asserting control over parts of eastern Rafah.

On Thursday, The Jerusalem Post reported sources claiming Abu Shabab was initially wounded in a clan-related confrontation. He was subsequently evacuated to a hospital in southern Israel, where he later died from his injuries.

The Popular Forces later released a statement, also cited by The Jerusalem Post, confirming Abu Shabab’s death and insisting he had been killed while attempting to resolve a local dispute.

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The group vowed to continue its operations until “the last terrorist was eliminated in Gaza,” adding that it would keep pursuing “a bright and secure future for our people who believe in peace,” the outlet said.

In a past interview with Ynet, Abu Shabab said, “We will not leave the Gaza Strip and will continue to fight Hamas until the last one is dead.”

A senior U.N. official, Georgios Petropoulos, also once referred to him as “the self-styled power broker of east Rafah,” according to a previous New York Times interview.

ISRAEL SAYS HAMAS VIOLATED CEASEFIRE WITH ‘MULTIPLE ATTACKS’ LEADING TO IDF RESPONSE

“Israel has never believed that these militias can replace Hamas or become an effective ruler of the Gaza Strip,” added Michael.

“But both sides have a common enemy — Hamas. On the other hand, these militias were and are against Hamas and willing to fight Hamas. Israel perceived these militias as another operational tool in its war against Hamas and established cooperation with them based on local interests and essence.”

According to Reuters, Abu Shabab’s militia continued operating from Israeli-controlled areas of southern Gaza following the U.S.-backed ceasefire in October.

IDF STRIKES HAMAS ‘TERRORIST TARGETS’ ACROSS GAZA FOLLOWING REPORTED CEASEFIRE VIOLATION

On Nov. 18, the group posted a video showing fighters preparing for a security sweep to “clear Rafah of terror,” referencing Hamas forces believed to be hiding in the area.

As reported by Fox News Digital, the ceasefire created a new landscape of militias, clan groups and networks as Hamas’ control weakened throughout the region, including the Popular Forces in Rafah.

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“The situation is very fragile and unstable as long as Hamas is able to operate freely in Gaza,” Michael added.

Fox News Digital has reached out to the IDF and Israeli government for comment.

Putin questions US pressure on India’s Russian oil purchases as Modi gives the Russian president a warm welcome.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has questioned Washington’s stance on India’s oil purchases from Moscow, pointing to US imports of Russian nuclear fuel as he began a state visit aimed at strengthening ties between the two nations.

Putin arrived in New Delhi on Thursday evening to a warm airport reception from Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who embraced the Russian leader in a rare gesture that underscored their personal rapport.

The visit comes as India faces mounting pressure from US President Donald Trump, who has imposed punitive tariffs on Indian goods over New Delhi’s purchases of discounted Russian crude.

In an interview with Indian broadcasters before his arrival, Putin questioned the logic behind Washington’s criticism.

“The United States itself still buys nuclear fuel from us for its own nuclear power plants,” he said, adding that if the US has the right to buy Russian fuel, India should enjoy “the same privilege”.

Modi posted on social media that he was “delighted to welcome my friend, President Putin to India,” calling their relationship “a time tested one that has greatly benefitted our people”.

After embracing on the tarmac, the two drove together to a private dinner at Modi’s residence.

Delighted to welcome my friend, President Putin to India. Looking forward to our interactions later this evening and tomorrow. India-Russia friendship is a time tested one that has greatly benefitted our people.@KremlinRussia_E pic.twitter.com/L7IORzRfV9

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) December 4, 2025

Al Jazeera’s Neha Poonia, reporting from New Delhi, said the reception sent a clear message.

“Experts say that the warm reception for President Putin [shows] that he is not a pariah, that there are countries that will accept him despite pressure from western nations,” over Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, she said, adding that Modi wanted to signal “he won’t give into pressure from Donald Trump.”

Putin defended the energy relationship, telling Indian media that cooperation with India “remains unaffected by political swings or the tragic events in Ukraine”.

He accused unnamed actors of seeking to “constrain India for political reasons” due to its growing international role.

The visit highlights India’s delicate balancing act between Moscow and Washington. India’s oil imports from Russia surged from just 2.5 percent of total crude purchases before 2022 to nearly 36 percent currently, making it the world’s second-largest buyer of Russian oil.

🇷🇺🇮🇳 President Vladimir #Putin has arrived in India for a two-day state visit.

The Russian leader received a warm personal welcome from Prime Minister @narendramodi.#DruzhbaDosti pic.twitter.com/jUeufbIdCv

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— MFA Russia 🇷🇺 (@mfa_russia) December 4, 2025

Indian refiners have saved approximately $12.20 per barrel by purchasing discounted Russian crude.

However, Trump has imposed 50 percent tariffs on Indian goods in retaliation, and recent US sanctions on major Russian oil producers have begun forcing Indian refiners to reduce purchases.

Reliance, India’s largest private refiner, has already announced it will stop exporting petroleum products made from Russian crude.

On Friday, Putin and Modi are expected to hold formal summit talks and announce agreements spanning defence cooperation, shipping, healthcare and labour mobility.

Russia is pushing to sell India additional S-400 missile defence systems and Su-57 stealth fighter jets, while both sides aim to reach $100bn in bilateral trade by 2030, though the target now appears distant as oil imports decline.