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Yahoo
2 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Hamas has killed 50 Palestinian fighters armed by Israel in Gaza, faction's associates say
Hamas has killed 50 fighters in recent months from a Palestinian gang armed by Israel in Gaza, according to a statement released amid reports that Israeli troops directly intervened this week to protect the faction. According to media reports in Israel, clashes between Hamas fighters and members of a militia led by Yasser abu Shabab, known locally for his involvement in criminal activity, erupted early on Tuesday in Rafah. The Israeli news channel i24 reported that Israeli soldiers had clashed with Hamas members in order to protect Abu Shabab from being killed, which resulted in deaths on both sides. Israeli defence officials acknowledged last week that they had been arming the group, with the aim of undermining Hamas. Aid workers said the group had a long history of looting from UN trucks. This week, an Israeli air force drone struck four Hamas militants in what i24 described as 'the first Israeli strike on Gaza whose sole objective was to assist the Abu Shabab militia', which it claimed was providing security to aid trucks passing from the Kerem Shalom crossing into Gaza. Related: Israel accused of arming Palestinian gang who allegedly looted aid in Gaza On Tuesday, in a long statement released to the press, Abu Shabab's militia, named the Anti-Terror Service or Popular Forces, said: 'Hamas has killed over 50 of our volunteers, including relatives of our leader, Yasser, as we guarded aid convoys and redistributed supplies that were otherwise destined for corrupt entities linked to Hamas. ''We've also cleared explosive remnants from the area – losing members in the process.' The Israeli news outlet Ynet said Abu Shabab's militia had also ambushed Hamas members from the 'Arrow' unit, which is responsible for targeting collaborators with Israel, killing six of them. On 7 October 2023, during Hamas's attack in Israel that ignited the war, Abu Shabab was languishing in a Hamas-run jail in Gaza on charges of drug trafficking. With the outbreak of the conflict, the Palestinian from Rafah managed to leave prison, though the circumstances of his release remain unclear. His Israeli-armed gang now consists of more than 100 men who operate in eastern Rafah. Abu Shabab has been nicknamed 'the Israeli agent' and described as a traitor on social media in Gaza. Hamas has publicly declared its intent to kill him. 'Had it not been for the intervention of the Zionist air force to protect the traitor Yasser Abu Shabab … he would have been in the grip of the resistance today,' it said in a statement. 'We will pursue the traitors no matter how long it takes and we affirm that the occupation's protection of him will not last, and we will reach him sooner or later.' Israeli analysts have warned that the move by Israel to arm Abu Shabab could push Gaza to the brink of a civil war.
Middle East Eye
2 days ago
- Politics
- Middle East Eye
Hamas killed 50 members of Gaza gang armed by Israel, militia says
Hamas has killed at least 50 members of a Palestinian gang in Gaza armed by Israel, according to a statement by the militia group. The gang, which is helmed by Yasser Abu Shabab, a clan leader known for criminal activity, said in a press statement that Hamas killed 'over 50 of our volunteers' while they 'guarded aid convoys and redistributed supplies that were otherwise destined for corrupt entities linked to Hamas'. The announcement comes amid Israeli news reports this week of Israeli soldiers intervening in clashes between Hamas fighters and members of the militia group in order to protect Abu Shabab. Israeli news channel i24 reported that an Israeli drone strike targeted Hamas fighters while they were clashing with members of Abu Shabab's militia, describing it as 'the first Israeli strike on Gaza whose sole objective was to assist the Abu Shabab militia'. Meanwhile, Israeli news outlet Ynet reported that Abu Shabab's militia had killed six members of Hamas' 'Arrow' unit, which is responsible for targeting collaborators with Israel. New MEE newsletter: Jerusalem Dispatch Sign up to get the latest insights and analysis on Israel-Palestine, alongside Turkey Unpacked and other MEE newsletters Last week, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu admitted to arming powerful local clans in Gaza, which aid groups have accused of stealing humanitarian aid, in a bid to counter Hamas. The admission came after defence officials quoted in Israeli media said Netanyahu had authorised the transfer of Kalashnikov assault rifles to Abu Shabab's gang. Abu Shabab, who was imprisoned by Hamas on drug trafficking charges, managed to flee prison with the outbreak of Israel's war on Gaza in October 2023. His militia, which operates in southern Gaza, is believed to consist of around 100 men. Hamas officials told Reuters that Abu Shabab was wanted for 'collaborating with the occupation against his people'. The officials said Hamas fighters had killed at least two dozen of Abu Shabab's men before January, after they allegedly looted aid trucks.
New Indian Express
2 days ago
- Politics
- New Indian Express
Hamas kills at least 50 Palestinian fighters armed by Israel in Gaza
At least 50 fighters of a Palestinian gang armed by Israel in Gaza have been killed by Hamas in the recent months. Clashes between Hamas fighters and members of the militia led by Yasser abu Shabab, erupted early on Tuesday in Rafah. The Guardian citing an Israeli news channel, i24 reported that Israeli soldiers had clashed with Hamas members in order to protect Abu Shabab from being killed, which resulted in deaths on both sides. Last week Israeli defence officials had acknowledged arming the militia with the aim of undermining Hamas. The Guardian quoting aid workers said that the group had a long history of looting from UN trucks. On Tuesday, in a long statement released to the press, Abu Shabab's militia, named the Anti-Terror Service or Popular Forces, said: 'Hamas has killed over 50 of our volunteers, including relatives of our leader, Yasser, as we guarded aid convoys and redistributed supplies that were otherwise destined for corrupt entities linked to Hamas. ''We've also cleared explosive remnants from the area – losing members in the process.' On 7 October 2023, during Hamas's attack in Israel that ignited the war, Abu Shabab was languishing in a Hamas-run jail in Gaza on charges of drug trafficking. With the outbreak of the conflict, the Palestinian from Rafah managed to leave prison, though the circumstances of his release remain unclear, The Guardian report said. His Israeli-armed gang now consists of more than 100 men who operate in eastern Rafah. Abu Shabab has been nicknamed 'the Israeli agent' and described as a traitor on social media in Gaza. Hamas has publicly declared its intent to kill him. Israeli analysts have warned that the move by Israel to arm Abu Shabab could push Gaza to the brink of a civil war.
Time of India
20-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
If US can extradite terrorists to India, Pakistan can also give us Hafiz Saeed, Lakhvi: Indian envoy
Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Pakistan should hand over key terrorists Hafiz Saeed , Sajid Mir, and Zakiur Rehman Lakhvi to India, just like the US did with one of the masterminds of the 26/11 Mumbai terror attack, Tahawwur Hussain Rana, India's Ambassador to Israel J P Singh has said. Contending that terrorism is a global menace, Singh also called for the formation of an international coalition against an interview with Israeli TV channel i24 on Monday, Singh stressed that India's Operation Sindoor against Pakistan is "paused" and "not over".Narrating the incidents leading up to India's offensive, Sing said that the operation was against terror groups in Pakistan."The terrorists killed people based on their religion. They asked people about their religion before killing them, and 26 innocent lives were lost," the Indian ambassador said on the Pahalgam attack of April 22."India's operation was against terror groups and their infrastructure to which Pakistan responded by attacking India's military installations", he a long list of terror attacks in India that originated from Pakistan, Singh said that the "root cause is these two groups - Jaish-e-Muhammad and Lashkar-e-Taiba ".The leaders of Lashkar-e-Taiba, which was behind the Mumbai attack , in which several Jews were also killed, continue to roam free, he noted."They need to do a very simple thing - when the preamble includes goodwill and friendship, they just need to hand over these terrorists to us," the envoy out that the United States recently extradited Rana, who was involved in the Mumbai attack, the diplomat, who has also served in Pakistan in the past, said that Islamabad could also do the same."When the US can hand over these culprits, why can't Pakistan hand over? They have to simply hand over Hafeez Saeed, Lakhvi, Sajid Mir, and things will be over", he if the understanding reached between the two nations is the 'end of the matter' for India, Singh responded by saying that "the ceasefire is still holding on, but we have made it very clear that Operation Sindoor is paused, it's not yet over".India carried out precision strikes under 'Operation Sindoor' on terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir early on May 7 in response to the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 the Indian action, Pakistan attempted to attack Indian military bases on May 8, 9 and 10. The Indian forces launched a fierce counter-attack on several Pakistani military and Pakistan reached an understanding on May 10 to end the conflict after four days of intense cross-border drone and missile strikes."The fight against terrorism will continue. We have set a new normal, and the new normal is that we will follow an offensive strategy. Wherever terrorists are, we have to kill those terrorists and destroy their infrastructure. So it is still not over, but as we speak, the ceasefire is still intact," Singh India's attack on Pakistan's Nur Khan base on May 10 as a game changer, Singh said that it created panic in Pakistan and their Director General of Military Operation (DGMO) reached out to their Indian counterpart seeking a the question of suspension of the Indus Water Treaty (IWT) that Pakistan has described as "an act of war", the Indian envoy said that the two key words that guided the treaty were never honoured, and India on the contrary, was always battling against terror attacks emanating from Pakistan."IWT was signed in 1960, and the preamble of the treaty includes two key words - goodwill and the past so many years, what we have seen (is that) we were allowing water to flow, and what was Pakistan doing - they were allowing terror (attacks) to come on the Indian side," Singh noted."There was a lot of frustration among people that this could not go on like this. Our Prime Minister said that blood and water cannot flow together and that is the reason that we decided to put this IWT in abeyance," he added."Terror must stop", the Indian ambassador asserted that for a treaty like this to be operational, Pakistan must stop cross-border terrorism."While IWT is in abeyance, another IWT is operational - Operation Sindoor is India's War Against Terrorism," he Pakistan's offer to investigate the Pahalgam attack, Singh dismissed it, describing it as a deflection strategy."What has happened to the Mumbai attack? What has happened to the Pathankot air base attack? What has happened to the Pulwama attack?" he questioned."We have given them dossiers after dossiers - we have given them technical inputs. America has shared with them evidence. Everything is there, but what have they done?" he asked."Lakhvi, who was the main planner of the Mumbai attack, is still roaming freely. Hafiz Saeed, the head of Lashkar-e-Taiba, the planner and executioner of the Mumbai attack, is roaming freely. So we can't believe them," Singh that terrorism is a global menace, the Indian envoy called for greater cooperation among the countries faced with the challenge."At an international level, all those countries, including India, Israel and many other countries that face the brunt of terrorism, we need to expand our diplomatic reach, we need to cooperate, we need to form a coalition against terrorism and most importantly against the supporters of these terrorist groups" he concluded by saying that "our prime minister has made it very clear - very clear - that we have zero tolerance on terrorism. We are not going to accept this cross-border terrorism".
Mint
20-05-2025
- Politics
- Mint
Why can't Pakistan hand over terrorists if US can, asks Indian envoy: ‘Give us Hafeez Saeed, Lakhvi, Sajid Mir'
India's Ambassador to Israel JP Singh said on Tuesday that Pakistan should handover key terrorists such as Hafiz Saeed, Sajid Mir and Zakiur Rehman Lakhvi just like the US extradited one of the masterminds of 26/11 Mumbai terror attack, Tahawwur Hussain Rana. "When the US can hand over these culprits, why can't Pakistan hand over? They have to simply hand over Hafeez Saeed, Lakhvi, Sajid Mir and things will be over", Singh said in an interview with Israeli TV channel i24 on Monday. The Indian ambassador cited a long list of terror attacks in India that originated from Pakistan, saying that the "root cause are these two groups — Jaish-e-Mohammed and Lashkar-e-Taiba". "The leaders of Lashkar-e-Taiba which was behind the Mumbai attacks in which several Jews were also killed, continue to roam free," he was quoted by news agency ANI as saying. "They need to do a very simple thing - when the preamble includes goodwill and friendship, they just need to hand over these terrorists to us", the envoy said. Singh also stressed that India's Operation Sindoor against Pakistan is "paused" and "not over". When asked if the ceasefire is holding and if it is the 'end of the matter' for India, Singh responded by saying that "the ceasefire is still holding on, but we have made it very clear that Operation Sindoor is paused, it's not yet over". Narrating the incidents leading up to India's offensive, Singh said that the operation was initially against terror groups in Pakistan. "The terrorists killed people based on their religion. They asked people their religion before killing them and 26 innocent lives were lost", the Indian ambassador said citing the Pahalgam attack of April 22. "India's operation was against terror groups and their infrastructure to which Pakistan responded by attacking India's military installations", he emphasised. He said, "The fight against terrorism will continue. We have set a new normal and the new normal is that we will follow an offensive strategy. Wherever terrorists are, we have to kill those terrorists and we have to destroy their infrastructure. So it is still not over, but as we speak the ceasefire is still intact."
