ALBAWABA - Yasser Abu Shabab, the leader of the Popular Forces in southern Gaza, made his first announcement since the Hamas court gave him 10 days to surrender himself.
The Revolutionary Court of the Military Judiciary Authority in Gaza warned Yasser Abu Shabab, the 35-year-old leader of the group, allegedly backed by Israel, to surrender himself for trial.
The Popular Forces responded via a statement on Facebook that the court's order is nothing but a “sitcom that doesn’t frighten us, nor does it frighten any free man who loves his homeland and its dignity”.
Israeli and Palestinian media are calling the group the "Popular Forces," and it is an armed Bedouin clan led by Yasser Abu Shabab, reportedly consisting of about 100 armed men.
Yasser Abu Shabab makes first statement since Hamas' surrender warning
Abu Shabab told Israeli media that the group is backed by the Palestinian Authority but not by Israel.
He said: "My clan is spread over an area that extends from the Negev to the Sinai. We are a big family, and everyone supports me and my actions," Ynet reported on Monday.
Yasser further maintained that Hamas accuses him of being "a criminal, a thief, a member of ISIS," with the aim of keeping people away from him.
"But that has not worked. Anyone who kidnaps and kills children, like the Bibas family, has no right to define or judge others. They are subhuman, vile and despicable people, and their end is near," he added.
