Yasser Abu Shabab Popular Forces, a militia group in Gaza which has received weapons from Israel, claimed on Tuesday that they killed five Hamas terrorists in an ambush attack, according to Israeli media.

A senior official in the group reportedly described Hamas as "a terrorist gang that oppresses our people."

Hamas-affiliated Telegram channels complained of a "terrorist attack" on Hamas's Saham Unit.

A Palestinian Hamas terrorist displays guns on the day of the handover of hostages, in Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip, February 22, 2025. (credit: REUTERS/Hatem Khaled)
A Palestinian Hamas terrorist displays guns on the day of the handover of hostages, in Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip, February 22, 2025. (credit: REUTERS/Hatem Khaled)

Who is behind the anti-Hamas militia group in Gaza?

Despite international reports that the group is working with Israel, the militia denied having received any support from the Jewish state. However, the leader confirmed they had a relationship with the Palestinian Authority.

“We are not working with Israel,” Yasser Abu Shabab told Army Radio last week.

“Our relations with the PA are carried out within the framework of the supreme national interest of the Palestinian people and the framework of its legal legitimacy.

“We carry out security checks through the Muhabarat mechanism [PA intelligence], which cooperates with us on this issue to ensure that terrorist elements do not enter and sabotage the liberation project from Hamas.”The PA did not confirm the involvement of the PMO or the Defense Ministry in security arrangements with the militia."

The group also denied claims that they had any affiliation or connection with ISIS.

This is a developing story.