Ghassan al-Duhaini: The Operational Commander Now Leading the Popular Forces

Ghassan al-Duhaini, 39, has been named leader of the Popular Forces militia following the killing of Yasser Abu Shabab. Palestinian media and local sources describe al-Duhaini as the group's long-standing operational head who has now taken formal command. The following summarizes what is publicly known about his background, the militia he leads, and the allegations surrounding their activities in Rafah.

Background

Al-Duhaini was born on October 3, 1987, in Rafah in southern Gaza and is a member of the Tarabin Bedouin tribe — the same broad tribal network to which Abu Shabab belonged. He previously served in Palestinian Authority security forces with the rank of first lieutenant. Public reporting indicates he later joined Jaysh al-Islam, a Gaza-based faction that has been described in some sources as having ideological links to ISIL (ISIS).

Rise Within the Militia

Although officially the second-in-command, multiple Palestinian media outlets say al-Duhaini has long functioned as the Popular Forces' de facto operational leader. Observers suggest Abu Shabab served as the group's public face while al-Duhaini managed operations on the ground. The militia announced his appointment as commander on its official Facebook page after Abu Shabab's death.

Public Appearance and Statement

Shortly after Abu Shabab was killed — reportedly during a family dispute mediation — al-Duhaini, who was said to have been wounded in the same incident, posted a video showing him in military fatigues among masked fighters. In an interview cited by Israel's Channel 12 and later reported by The Times of Israel, al-Duhaini said:

"Why would I fear Hamas when I am fighting Hamas? I fight them, arrest their people, seize their equipment … in the name of the people and the free."

He framed recent footage of the militia as proof that the group "remains operational" despite the leadership change.

Activities, Critics, and Accusations

Hamas lists al-Duhaini among its most wanted figures and accuses him of collaborating with Israel, looting humanitarian aid, and providing intelligence on tunnel routes and military sites. The militia has posted videos on social media showing the capture and interrogation of alleged Hamas members in Rafah, and images it said depicted the bodies of militants eliminated during its operations. These claims and the group's imagery have fueled controversy and condemnation from opponents.

Threats and Attacks

Reports say Hamas has attempted to assassinate al-Duhaini twice: one attack killed his brother, and another — the detonation of a booby-trapped house east of Rafah — reportedly missed him, with a Hamas source saying he survived "by sheer luck" while attackers suffered casualties.

Militia Profile and Alleged Links With Israeli Agencies

The Popular Forces rose to prominence in 2024 under Abu Shabab. Estimates put the group's size at roughly 100–300 fighters, operating very near Israeli military positions in eastern Rafah and moving under close Israeli oversight, according to reporting. The group is active near the Karem Abu Salem crossing — the main route for Israeli-approved humanitarian aid into Gaza — and a second unit operates in western Rafah close to major aid distribution points.

Israeli reporting in Maariv has suggested that Israel's internal security agency, Shin Bet, played a role in recruiting and arming Abu Shabab's network as a limited "pilot project" to test whether an alternative, small-scale security presence could be established in parts of Rafah. Other Israeli security officials, the reporting adds, have expressed doubts about the group's ability to replace Hamas.

An internal United Nations memo in late 2024 reportedly identified Abu Shabab as a key figure in large-scale looting of humanitarian aid. Independent verification of some allegations remains limited; many claims are contested or come from parties to the conflict.

What Comes Next

Al-Duhaini's formal elevation consolidates leadership within the Popular Forces, but major questions remain about the militia's long-term role in Rafah, its relationships with external actors, and whether it can expand influence beyond localized operations. Given the militia's controversial reputation and the volatile security environment in Gaza, further developments are likely to draw close scrutiny from regional actors, humanitarian agencies, and international media.