The Israeli Army Radio announced that Yasser Abu Shabab, the leader of an armed militia east of Rafah in the Gaza Strip, was assassinated by unknown assailants.

According to the radio, Israeli assessments suggest that Abu Shabab was killed by one of his own men. A source told Army Radio that his death represents “a negative development for Israel.”

Meanwhile, Israel’s Channel 12 quoted a security official as saying that Abu Shabab died at Soroka Hospital from wounds he sustained during an internal family dispute.