DaysofPal- An Israel-backed armed group operating in Rafah, known as the so-called “Popular Forces,” announced the arrest of Adham Attaallah al-Akar, also known as Abu Bakr al-Akar, a field commander in the Qassam Brigades and a leading figure in the East Rafah Battalion. The group is led by Ghassan Dheini, deputy to the late Yasser Abu Shabab, and reportedly handed al-Akar over to Israeli forces, according to multiple Hebrew media outlets.
Following the arrest, the group released a video showing Dheini standing over al-Akar while threatening Hamas and delivering verbal abuse. Al-Akar appeared stripped of his clothing and visibly weakened.
He is among the resistance fighters who had remained trapped for months inside tunnels in Rafah after engaging Israeli forces and their local collaborators for over two years.
The National Gathering of Palestinian Tribes, Clans, and Families condemned the seizure of al-Akar, describing Dheini and his followers as criminal collaborators rejected by Palestinian society. The group pledged that such phenomena would be dismantled and removed.
Field sources reported that al-Akar emerged early Friday morning alongside seven companions from Rafah’s tunnel network after nearly three months under siege following the halt of large-scale military operations. During that period, the group reportedly endured severe shortages of food and water.
According to the same sources, Israeli aircraft pursued the fighters immediately after they surfaced, leading to the killing of several members. Dheini’s group then moved in under the cover of Israeli reconnaissance aircraft and detained the remaining fighters, including al-Akar.
In the circulated video, Dheini warned resistance members of further arrests, claiming his actions were intended to prevent what he described as the disruption of “peace efforts.” He referenced US proposals related to post-war arrangements in Gaza.
Activists accused him of repeating Israeli talking points and trying to portray the repression of resistance as a security necessity, which sparked widespread outrage and ridicule.
The incident has renewed scrutiny of Dheini’s role within Israel’s security framework. He has been linked to field activities east of Rafah, including searching for resistance fighters and facilitating the movement of Israeli forces in the area, according to local sources.
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