Anti-Hamas Gaza militia leader killed by unknown gunmen: Israeli media

JERUSALEM/GAZA, Dec. 4 (Xinhua) -- Israeli media reported on Thursday that Yasser Abu Shabab, the anti-Hamas clan leader in the Gaza Strip, was killed by unknown gunmen.

According to anonymous security officials cited by Israeli media, Abu Shabab was shot on Thursday in southern Gaza and later succumbed to his injuries. Officials suggested he was caught in clashes between rival clans in Gaza.

There was no immediate comment from Gaza authorities.

Abu Shabab, 31, was the leader of a local armed clan in Gaza known as the "Popular Forces," an organization that had emerged as a local partner to Israel against Hamas in parts of southern Gaza.

In May, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that Israel had "activated clans in Gaza that oppose Hamas," adding that it "saves the lives of Israeli soldiers."

Despite a ceasefire, Israel has continued to carry out daily demolitions of buildings and infrastructure, raids and strikes, killing at least 360 people and wounding 923 others since October 11, after the ceasefire took effect, according to the Gaza health authorities. ■