Popular Forces

In May and June 2025, in what ''[[The New York Times]]'' and [[NPR]] described as a [[rebranding]], Abu Shabab announced that his group was securing aid into the Gaza Strip, protecting routes to US and Israeli aid sites administered by the [[Gaza Humanitarian Foundation]]. Despite this, spokesperson of GHF said that the organization had "no collaboration" with Abu Shabab. He said that all GHF workers were unarmed and none belong to Abu Shabab's group.{{Cite news |date=7 June 2025 |title=Israel backs anti-Hamas armed group known for looting aid in Gaza. Here's what we know |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/international/world-news/israel-backs-anti-hamas-armed-group-known-for-looting-aid-in-gaza-heres-what-we-know/articleshow/121696586.cms?from=mdr |work=[[The Economic Times]] |issn=0013-0389}} In an interview with [[CNN]], truck drivers said that Abu Shabab provided 200 armed men to protect their convoys. In social media posts, Abu Shabab claimed responsibility for safeguarding aid trucks, and organizing and directing aid convoys. UN humanitarian agency OCHA stated that "it did not pay anyone" to guard aid trucks entering Gaza. In June 2025, Abu Shabab released videos calling on citizens of Rafah to return, promising them food, shelter, and protection in makeshift camps which were built under the watch of [[Israel Defense Forces|IDF]].{{Cite web |date=4 June 2025 |title=Militia leader calls for East Rafah residents to come under his protection |url=https://www.i24news.tv/en/news/middle-east/palestinian-territories/artc-militia-leader-calls-for-east-rafah-residents-to-come-under-his-protection |website=[[i24NEWS]] |language=en}}

In May and June 2025, in what ''[[The New York Times]]'' and [[NPR]] described as a [[rebranding]], Abu Shabab announced that his group was securing aid into the Gaza Strip, protecting routes to US and Israeli aid sites administered by the [[Gaza Humanitarian Foundation]]. Despite this, spokesperson of GHF said that the organization had "no collaboration" with Abu Shabab. He said that all GHF workers were unarmed and none belong to Abu Shabab's group.{{Cite news |date=7 June 2025 |title=Israel backs anti-Hamas armed group known for looting aid in Gaza. Here's what we know |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/international/world-news/israel-backs-anti-hamas-armed-group-known-for-looting-aid-in-gaza-heres-what-we-know/articleshow/121696586.cms?from=mdr |work=[[The Economic Times]] |issn=0013-0389}} In an interview with [[CNN]], truck drivers said that Abu Shabab provided 200 armed men to protect their convoys. In social media posts, Abu Shabab claimed responsibility for safeguarding aid trucks, and organizing and directing aid convoys. UN humanitarian agency OCHA stated that "it did not pay anyone" to guard aid trucks entering Gaza. In June 2025, Abu Shabab released videos calling on citizens of Rafah to return, promising them food, shelter, and protection in makeshift camps which were built under the watch of [[Israel Defense Forces|IDF]].{{Cite web |date=4 June 2025 |title=Militia leader calls for East Rafah residents to come under his protection |url=https://www.i24news.tv/en/news/middle-east/palestinian-territories/artc-militia-leader-calls-for-east-rafah-residents-to-come-under-his-protection |website=[[i24NEWS]] |language=en}}

On 6 July 2025, Abu Shabab, in an interview with [[Radio Makan (Israel)|Radio Makan]], stated that the Popular Forces will continue to fight [[Hamas]] even if a ceasefire is archived. The interview was conducted hours after the [[Palestinian Joint Operations Room]] said that his blood was "permitted", calling for his assassination. Abu Shabab said that Hamas is in the "final stages" before its elimination and that its "fighting its last battles". He also said that Popular Forces are able to "operate freely" in areas under Israeli control and indicated "coordination" with [[Israel Defense Forces|IDF]].{{Cite web |last=Kleiman |first=Shachar |date=6 July 2025 |title=Anti-Hamas militia leader: 'We will fight Hamas even if a ceasefire is reached' |url=https://www.israelhayom.com/2025/07/06/anti-hamas-militia-leader-we-will-fight-hamas-even-if-a-ceasefire-is-reached/ |website=[[Israel Hayom]] |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |date=7 July 2025 |title=Yasser Abu Shabab Emerges as potential player in post-war Gaza |url=https://www.thearabweekly.com/yasser-abu-shabab-emerges-potential-player-post-war-gaza |website=[[The Arab Weekly]]}} Abu Shabab said that the Popular Forces would rule the Gaza Strip after Hamas was overthrown, and that his group was not in conflict with the [[Palestinian Authority]]. Abu Shabab also said that [[October 7 attacks]] were a "crime" and that they caused the "Palestinian suffering".{{Cite web |date=7 July 2025 |title=Gaza militia leader Abu Shabab: 'No stopping civil war' against Hamas |url=https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/article-860223 |website=[[The Jerusalem Post]] |language=en}}

On 6 July 2025, Abu Shabab, in an interview with [[Radio Makan]], stated that the Popular Forces will continue to fight [[Hamas]] even if a ceasefire is archived. The interview was conducted hours after the [[Palestinian Joint Operations Room]] said that his blood was "permitted", calling for his assassination. Abu Shabab said that Hamas is in the "final stages" before its elimination and that its "fighting its last battles". He also said that Popular Forces are able to "operate freely" in areas under Israeli control and indicated "coordination" with [[Israel Defense Forces|IDF]].{{Cite web |last=Kleiman |first=Shachar |date=6 July 2025 |title=Anti-Hamas militia leader: 'We will fight Hamas even if a ceasefire is reached' |url=https://www.israelhayom.com/2025/07/06/anti-hamas-militia-leader-we-will-fight-hamas-even-if-a-ceasefire-is-reached/ |website=[[Israel Hayom]] |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |date=7 July 2025 |title=Yasser Abu Shabab Emerges as potential player in post-war Gaza |url=https://www.thearabweekly.com/yasser-abu-shabab-emerges-potential-player-post-war-gaza |website=[[The Arab Weekly]]}} Abu Shabab said that the Popular Forces would rule the Gaza Strip after Hamas was overthrown, and that his group was not in conflict with the [[Palestinian Authority]]. Abu Shabab also said that [[October 7 attacks]] were a "crime" and that they caused the "Palestinian suffering".{{Cite web |date=7 July 2025 |title=Gaza militia leader Abu Shabab: 'No stopping civil war' against Hamas |url=https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/article-860223 |website=[[The Jerusalem Post]] |language=en}}

=== Allegations of connections to the Islamic State ===

=== Allegations of connections to the Islamic State ===