“(Yaser Abu Shabab’s death) marks the end of a dark chapter, one that does not reflect the history and principles of our tribe…The Tarabin tribe supports the Palestinian resistance movement in all its factions…We reject the use of our tribe’s name and members to form militias working in the interests of the occupation.”
This was said in a statement by Gaza’s Tarabin tribe after the killing of its member Yasser Abu Shabab on December 4. There are conflicting reports about how he died and who killed him. Some say it was a Hamas fighter who shot him, others say it was a member of his own tribe. He was reportedly taken to an Israeli hospital where he died from his injuries.
Israel framed the killing as a “tribal conflict” rather than retaliation for his cooperation. This was also the position of the People’s Army militia commanded by Abu Shabaab. Of course, this story ignores the fact that his own tribe considered him a collaborator and welcomed his death.
During the war, Abu Shabaab’s name was synonymous with cooperation with Israel. He was a key partner in ensuring safe passage for Israeli troops in the Gaza Strip, searching for Israeli prisoners of war, killing Palestinian resistance fighters, and, most notoriously, looting aid trucks. Before he was killed, Abu Shabab was reportedly being considered by Israel as a candidate for Rafah governorship.
His death was a major blow to Israel’s efforts to establish a new Palestinian government in Gaza and oppress the Palestinians at its request. This is yet another proof that the Palestinian people will never accept colonial rule.
For decades, Israel has used its collaborators to undermine Palestinian unity and governance. In the early 1980s, he spearheaded the creation of so-called “village leagues” in the occupied West Bank. These represented local governing bodies headed by individuals funded and protected by Israel in exchange for loyalty. Its purpose was to weaken the influence of the Palestine Liberation Organization and sow discord. However, these leagues were rejected by the Palestinians as unjust, and the entire idea collapsed within a few years.
Now Israel is trying to replicate the same model in Gaza. Funding and arming Abu Shabaab was supposed to create a center of coercion in Gaza that would be completely loyal to Israel. This would have allowed Israel to occupy and annihilate the resistance after the resistance without involving any more soldiers or incurring the diplomatic costs of doing so.
Even if Abu Shabab had not succeeded in establishing control over Rafah and all of Gaza, sowing the seeds of internal conflict would have been well in Israel’s interest. It would undermine Gaza’s internal security, undermine Palestinian social cohesion and encourage people to leave.
But as in the past, Israel’s plans were doomed to failure.
Although Abu Shabaab received significant financial and military support from the occupying powers, he was unable to persuade tribes to follow him or the people of Rafah to join him. He could only recruit Takfir militants, criminals, and previously imprisoned collaborators.
The majority of Palestinians considered him a collaborator. Abu Shabaab has also been unable to recruit from among those who oppose or dislike the resistance. Because the resistance forces will not sell their ideals to work for the genocidal forces that kill Palestinians every day.
Abu Shabab provided Israel with ground security and technical services, but his power was built solely on crime and theft, making him a hated traitor rather than a leader. Although he boasted in videos of distributing stolen aid to the poor and building tent camps out of looted tents, he was unable to rally people to his support.
Israel’s plan to make Abu Shabaab governor failed because it did not take into account that legitimate governance cannot be built against crime.
Even if Israel tried to protect him, his death was inevitable. His tribe and other peoples of Rafah could not accept cooperation with his occupation, which tarnished their honor and long-standing moral foundations.
As news of Abu Shabaab’s death spread, Gazans took to the streets to celebrate by handing out sweets. Palestinians who held different views about Hamas’ actions were united in joy. Israeli attempts to intervene in Gaza’s future have been crushed.
Abu Shabaab’s death ultimately sent a strong message that any collaborator is a target and no collaborator can gain legitimacy. Even after more than two years of genocide, the Palestinian spirit remains intact. They have not abandoned their land and cause.
The views expressed in this article are the author’s own and do not necessarily reflect the editorial stance of Al Jazeera.
