Anti-Hamas armed teams search future function underneath Gaza peace plan

[ad_1] Lucy Williamson Center East correspondent, Jerusalem

<img sizes="(min-width: 1280px) 50vw, (min-width: 1008px) 66vw, 96vw" srcset="https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/240/cpsprodpb/5df8/live/03938310-c6b3-11f0-871f-ff5f4d1b9441.png.webp 240w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/320/cpsprodpb/5df8/live/03938310-c6b3-11f0-871f-ff5f4d1b9441.png.webp 320w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/480/cpsprodpb/5df8/live/03938310-c6b3-11f0-871f-ff5f4d1b9441.png.webp 480w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/640/cpsprodpb/5df8/live/03938310-c6b3-11f0-871f-ff5f4d1b9441.png.webp 640w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/800/cpsprodpb/5df8/live/03938310-c6b3-11f0-871f-ff5f4d1b9441.png.webp 800w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/1024/cpsprodpb/5df8/live/03938310-c6b3-11f0-871f-ff5f4d1b9441.png.webp 1024w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/1536/cpsprodpb/5df8/live/03938310-c6b3-11f0-871f-ff5f4d1b9441.png.webp 1536w" src="https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/480/cpsprodpb/5df8/live/03938310-c6b3-11f0-871f-ff5f4d1b9441.png.webp" loading="eager" alt="Yasser Abu Shabab/Facebook Armed members of Yasser Abu Shabab's Popular Forces militia listen to a speech by their deputy commander, Ghassan al-Dhahini (16 November 2025)" class="sc-5340b511-0 hLdNfA"/> Yasser Abu Shabab/Fb One of many largest militia, the Fashionable Forces, operates close to the southern metropolis of Rafah

Pressing questions are being raised over a patchwork of armed teams which have emerged to struggle Hamas in Gaza over current months.

They embody teams primarily based round household clans, prison gangs and new militia – a few of that are backed by Israel, as its prime minister not too long ago admitted.

Components inside the Palestinian Authority - which governs elements of the occupied West Financial institution and is a political rival to Hamas - are additionally believed to be covertly sending help.

However these militia - every working in its personal native space contained in the 53% of Gaza's territory at present managed by Israeli forces - haven't been formally included in US President Donald Trump's peace plan, which requires an Worldwide Stabilisation Pressure and a newly-trained Palestinian police drive to safe Gaza within the subsequent stage of the deal.

One of many largest militia is headed by Yasser Abu Shabab, whose Fashionable Forces function close to the southern metropolis of Rafah.

In a single current social media video, his deputy talks about working in co-ordination with the Board of Peace - the worldwide physique to be tasked with operating Gaza underneath the plan.

<img sizes="(min-width: 1280px) 50vw, (min-width: 1008px) 66vw, 96vw" srcset="https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/240/cpsprodpb/254b/live/0ec9d490-c6af-11f0-871f-ff5f4d1b9441.jpg.webp 240w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/320/cpsprodpb/254b/live/0ec9d490-c6af-11f0-871f-ff5f4d1b9441.jpg.webp 320w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/480/cpsprodpb/254b/live/0ec9d490-c6af-11f0-871f-ff5f4d1b9441.jpg.webp 480w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/640/cpsprodpb/254b/live/0ec9d490-c6af-11f0-871f-ff5f4d1b9441.jpg.webp 640w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/800/cpsprodpb/254b/live/0ec9d490-c6af-11f0-871f-ff5f4d1b9441.jpg.webp 800w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/1024/cpsprodpb/254b/live/0ec9d490-c6af-11f0-871f-ff5f4d1b9441.jpg.webp 1024w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/1536/cpsprodpb/254b/live/0ec9d490-c6af-11f0-871f-ff5f4d1b9441.jpg.webp 1536w" src="https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/480/cpsprodpb/254b/live/0ec9d490-c6af-11f0-871f-ff5f4d1b9441.jpg.webp" loading="lazy" alt="Hossam al-Astal/Facebook Hossam al-Astal, who leads the Counter-Terrorism Strike Force militia, near the southern Gaza city of Khan Younis" class="sc-5340b511-0 hLdNfA"/> Hossam al-Astal/Fb Hossam al-Astal leads the Counter-Terrorism Strike Pressure militia close to Khan Younis

Hossam al-Astal, who leads a militia referred to as the Counter-Terrorism Strike Pressure close to the southern metropolis of Khan Younis, advised Israeli media this week that "US representatives" had confirmed his group would have a task in Gaza's future police drive.

A US official stated that they had nothing to announce at the moment.

Earlier this month, Astal grinned once I requested if he had spoken to the People concerning the future, and advised me he would share the small print quickly.

I requested if these conversations left him pleased.

"Sure," he stated, with an enormous smile.

<img sizes="(min-width: 1280px) 50vw, (min-width: 1008px) 66vw, 96vw" srcset="https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/240/cpsprodpb/27bf/live/91303e00-c6ba-11f0-82b1-6148fee2770d.png.webp 240w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/320/cpsprodpb/27bf/live/91303e00-c6ba-11f0-82b1-6148fee2770d.png.webp 320w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/480/cpsprodpb/27bf/live/91303e00-c6ba-11f0-82b1-6148fee2770d.png.webp 480w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/640/cpsprodpb/27bf/live/91303e00-c6ba-11f0-82b1-6148fee2770d.png.webp 640w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/800/cpsprodpb/27bf/live/91303e00-c6ba-11f0-82b1-6148fee2770d.png.webp 800w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/1024/cpsprodpb/27bf/live/91303e00-c6ba-11f0-82b1-6148fee2770d.png.webp 1024w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/1536/cpsprodpb/27bf/live/91303e00-c6ba-11f0-82b1-6148fee2770d.png.webp 1536w" src="https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/480/cpsprodpb/27bf/live/91303e00-c6ba-11f0-82b1-6148fee2770d.png.webp" loading="lazy" alt="Hossam al-Astal Screengrab of WhatsApp video from Gaza militia leader Hossam al-Astal showing boxes of fresh vegetables in Gaza" class="sc-5340b511-0 hLdNfA"/> Hossam al-Astal One video shared by Hossam al-Astal confirmed recent meals delivered to the tent metropolis his militia runs

Hossam al-Astal as soon as labored for the Palestinian Authority. His group is small - possibly tens of fighters - however is more and more assured, and runs a well-supplied tent metropolis close to Khan Younis.

"For instance it is not the suitable time for me to reply this query," Astal smiled once I requested if Israel was supplying him. "However we co-ordinate with the Israeli aspect to herald meals, weapons, every part."

I requested how he paid for them.

"Folks everywhere in the world are supporting us," he replied. "It is not all from Israel. They declare Israel is the one one supporting us and that we're brokers of Israel. We're not Israel's brokers."

He advised me tens of households had come to dwell in his new website, simply contained in the Yellow Line that marks the territory at present managed by Israel underneath the ceasefire deal - and that extra folks had been arriving each week.

"We're the subsequent day for the brand new Gaza," he advised me. "We now have no drawback co-operating with the Palestinian Authority, with the People, with anybody who aligns with us. We're the choice to Hamas."

<img sizes="(min-width: 1280px) 50vw, (min-width: 1008px) 66vw, 96vw" srcset="https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/240/cpsprodpb/45ff/live/93940380-bfa7-11f0-8669-5560f5c90fbe.png.webp 240w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/320/cpsprodpb/45ff/live/93940380-bfa7-11f0-8669-5560f5c90fbe.png.webp 320w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/480/cpsprodpb/45ff/live/93940380-bfa7-11f0-8669-5560f5c90fbe.png.webp 480w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/640/cpsprodpb/45ff/live/93940380-bfa7-11f0-8669-5560f5c90fbe.png.webp 640w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/800/cpsprodpb/45ff/live/93940380-bfa7-11f0-8669-5560f5c90fbe.png.webp 800w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/1024/cpsprodpb/45ff/live/93940380-bfa7-11f0-8669-5560f5c90fbe.png.webp 1024w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/1536/cpsprodpb/45ff/live/93940380-bfa7-11f0-8669-5560f5c90fbe.png.webp 1536w" src="https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/480/cpsprodpb/45ff/live/93940380-bfa7-11f0-8669-5560f5c90fbe.png.webp" loading="lazy" alt="A map showing the extent of the Yellow Line which runs around the periphery of Gaza and demarcates the territory controlled by Israeli forces" class="sc-5340b511-0 hLdNfA"/> However many Gazans - together with these disillusioned with Hamas - are sad with the brand new energy given to those small and fragmented armed teams.

"Solely a small variety of males who haven't any faith, religion, or ethics have joined these criminals," stated Saleh Sweidan, who's at present residing in Gaza Metropolis. "Gaza's authorities was ruling us, and though there have been many burdens on civilians, any authorities is healthier than gangs."

"These teams that co-operate with the occupation [Israel] are the worst factor that the warfare has produced," stated Zaher Doulah, one other Gaza Metropolis resident. "Becoming a member of them will not be solely harmful, it's a nice betrayal."

<img sizes="(min-width: 1280px) 50vw, (min-width: 1008px) 66vw, 96vw" srcset="https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/240/cpsprodpb/0bdf/live/c4323ed0-c63c-11f0-8c98-11fe43704bb5.png.webp 240w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/320/cpsprodpb/0bdf/live/c4323ed0-c63c-11f0-8c98-11fe43704bb5.png.webp 320w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/480/cpsprodpb/0bdf/live/c4323ed0-c63c-11f0-8c98-11fe43704bb5.png.webp 480w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/640/cpsprodpb/0bdf/live/c4323ed0-c63c-11f0-8c98-11fe43704bb5.png.webp 640w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/800/cpsprodpb/0bdf/live/c4323ed0-c63c-11f0-8c98-11fe43704bb5.png.webp 800w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/1024/cpsprodpb/0bdf/live/c4323ed0-c63c-11f0-8c98-11fe43704bb5.png.webp 1024w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/1536/cpsprodpb/0bdf/live/c4323ed0-c63c-11f0-8c98-11fe43704bb5.png.webp 1536w" src="https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/480/cpsprodpb/0bdf/live/c4323ed0-c63c-11f0-8c98-11fe43704bb5.png.webp" loading="lazy" alt="Ashraf al-Mansi Ashraf al-Mansi reads out a statement in front of armed men on 14 October 2025 " class="sc-5340b511-0 hLdNfA"/> Ashraf al-Mansi Ashraf Mansi, chief of the Folks's Military - Northern Forces, warned Hamas in a video in October to not method northern areas of Gaza the place his militia was working

Thirty-one yr outdated Montaser Masoud advised me he had joined al-Astal's new tent metropolis two months in the past along with his spouse and 4 youngsters, crossing the Yellow Line at evening to keep away from Hamas, and after coordination with Israeli forces.

However he stated kinfolk who had stayed behind in Hamas-controlled areas had been vital of the transfer.

"They have been harassing us, saying what we're doing it improper and has no future," he advised me. "I inform them that they are those we fear about, as a result of they dwell outdoors the Yellow Line and anybody from Hamas might conceal subsequent to them, and so they may very well be bombed."

As we spoke by cellphone, the sound of heavy gunfire round him repeatedly punctured our dialog.

"It is the [Israeli] military close by," he defined. "Nevertheless it's not an issue as a result of we all know we're not the goal."

<img sizes="(min-width: 1280px) 50vw, (min-width: 1008px) 66vw, 96vw" srcset="https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/240/cpsprodpb/7d6f/live/3ba36720-c63b-11f0-8c98-11fe43704bb5.jpg.webp 240w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/320/cpsprodpb/7d6f/live/3ba36720-c63b-11f0-8c98-11fe43704bb5.jpg.webp 320w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/480/cpsprodpb/7d6f/live/3ba36720-c63b-11f0-8c98-11fe43704bb5.jpg.webp 480w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/640/cpsprodpb/7d6f/live/3ba36720-c63b-11f0-8c98-11fe43704bb5.jpg.webp 640w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/800/cpsprodpb/7d6f/live/3ba36720-c63b-11f0-8c98-11fe43704bb5.jpg.webp 800w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/1024/cpsprodpb/7d6f/live/3ba36720-c63b-11f0-8c98-11fe43704bb5.jpg.webp 1024w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/1536/cpsprodpb/7d6f/live/3ba36720-c63b-11f0-8c98-11fe43704bb5.jpg.webp 1536w" src="https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/480/cpsprodpb/7d6f/live/3ba36720-c63b-11f0-8c98-11fe43704bb5.jpg.webp" loading="lazy" alt="Yasser Abu Shabab/Facebook Yasser Abu Shabab" class="sc-5340b511-0 hLdNfA"/> Yasser Abu Shabab/Fb Yasser Abu Shabab leads the Rafah-based Fashionable Forces militia

A number of armed teams at the moment are ranged in opposition to Hamas, with advanced and overlapping ties.

Abu Shabab's group, for instance, is accused of looting assist vans despatched into Gaza in the course of the warfare, and experiences in Israel have additionally prompt that two of its members have earlier hyperlinks to the Islamic State group (IS).

"What's improper with it?" Israel's Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, stated final month in response to the information that his nation had secretly backed militia teams. "It is a good factor. It saves troopers' lives."

Disclosing the knowledge, he stated, had "solely helped Hamas".

<img sizes="(min-width: 1280px) 50vw, (min-width: 1008px) 66vw, 96vw" srcset="https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/240/cpsprodpb/840a/live/163fb790-c63b-11f0-a892-01d657345866.jpg.webp 240w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/320/cpsprodpb/840a/live/163fb790-c63b-11f0-a892-01d657345866.jpg.webp 320w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/480/cpsprodpb/840a/live/163fb790-c63b-11f0-a892-01d657345866.jpg.webp 480w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/640/cpsprodpb/840a/live/163fb790-c63b-11f0-a892-01d657345866.jpg.webp 640w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/800/cpsprodpb/840a/live/163fb790-c63b-11f0-a892-01d657345866.jpg.webp 800w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/1024/cpsprodpb/840a/live/163fb790-c63b-11f0-a892-01d657345866.jpg.webp 1024w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/1536/cpsprodpb/840a/live/163fb790-c63b-11f0-a892-01d657345866.jpg.webp 1536w" src="https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/480/cpsprodpb/840a/live/163fb790-c63b-11f0-a892-01d657345866.jpg.webp" loading="lazy" alt="Maj-Gen Anwar Rajab, spokesman for the Palestinian Authority's security forces" class="sc-5340b511-0 hLdNfA"/> Maj-Gen Anwar Rajab of the Palestinian Authority says there could be no blanket integration of the armed teams into Gaza's new police drive

Netanyahu has insisted Gaza is not going to be run by both Hamas or its rival, the Palestinian Authority. Below the US peace plan, a non-political, technocratic committee of Palestinians will run Gaza within the brief time period underneath worldwide oversight, till the PA reforms are full.

However a senior Palestinian official has rejected Astal's claims that his fighters will type a part of the long run police drive there.

Maj-Gen Anwar Rajab, spokesman for the Palestinian Authority's safety forces, advised the BBC that there may very well be no blanket integration of males from Gaza's armed teams, a few of that are backed by Israel.

"Israel would possibly demand the combination of those militia, resulting from Israel's personal particular political and safety concerns," he stated in an interview within the West Financial institution metropolis of Ramallah. "However Israel's calls for do not essentially profit the Palestinians. Israel desires to proceed imposing its management in a technique or one other within the Gaza Strip."

<img sizes="(min-width: 1280px) 50vw, (min-width: 1008px) 66vw, 96vw" srcset="https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/240/cpsprodpb/bee8/live/a3306580-c6ba-11f0-82b1-6148fee2770d.png.webp 240w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/320/cpsprodpb/bee8/live/a3306580-c6ba-11f0-82b1-6148fee2770d.png.webp 320w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/480/cpsprodpb/bee8/live/a3306580-c6ba-11f0-82b1-6148fee2770d.png.webp 480w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/640/cpsprodpb/bee8/live/a3306580-c6ba-11f0-82b1-6148fee2770d.png.webp 640w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/800/cpsprodpb/bee8/live/a3306580-c6ba-11f0-82b1-6148fee2770d.png.webp 800w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/1024/cpsprodpb/bee8/live/a3306580-c6ba-11f0-82b1-6148fee2770d.png.webp 1024w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/1536/cpsprodpb/bee8/live/a3306580-c6ba-11f0-82b1-6148fee2770d.png.webp 1536w" src="https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/480/cpsprodpb/bee8/live/a3306580-c6ba-11f0-82b1-6148fee2770d.png.webp" loading="lazy" alt="ab.kaser/TikTok Screengrab of video purportedly showing armed members of the "People's Army - Northern Forces" patrolling Gaza on 30 September 2025" class="sc-5340b511-0 hLdNfA"/> ab.kaser/TikTok Members of the Folks's Military - Northern Forces on patrol in northern Gaza

The query of what's going to occur to Gaza's new militia underneath a sturdy peace nonetheless stays unanswered.

Israel's choice to again the enemies of their enemy in Gaza is an indication they haven't discovered from historical past, based on Michael Milshtein, previously the pinnacle of Palestinian affairs for Israel's navy intelligence.

"This is similar threat the People took in Afghanistan 30 years in the past," he stated. "They supported the Taliban in opposition to the Soviets, then the Taliban took the weapons they acquired from the People and used them in opposition to the People."

He stated Israel was now counting on teams with doubtful pasts within the hope they would supply a political social and ideological various to Hamas.

"There can be a second when they may flip their rifles – the rifles they acquired from Israel – in opposition to the IDF [Israeli Defence Forces]," he stated.

<img sizes="(min-width: 1280px) 50vw, (min-width: 1008px) 66vw, 96vw" srcset="https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/240/cpsprodpb/1627/live/1fe002f0-c63b-11f0-9fb5-5f3a3703a365.jpg.webp 240w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/320/cpsprodpb/1627/live/1fe002f0-c63b-11f0-9fb5-5f3a3703a365.jpg.webp 320w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/480/cpsprodpb/1627/live/1fe002f0-c63b-11f0-9fb5-5f3a3703a365.jpg.webp 480w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/640/cpsprodpb/1627/live/1fe002f0-c63b-11f0-9fb5-5f3a3703a365.jpg.webp 640w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/800/cpsprodpb/1627/live/1fe002f0-c63b-11f0-9fb5-5f3a3703a365.jpg.webp 800w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/1024/cpsprodpb/1627/live/1fe002f0-c63b-11f0-9fb5-5f3a3703a365.jpg.webp 1024w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/1536/cpsprodpb/1627/live/1fe002f0-c63b-11f0-9fb5-5f3a3703a365.jpg.webp 1536w" src="https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/480/cpsprodpb/1627/live/1fe002f0-c63b-11f0-9fb5-5f3a3703a365.jpg.webp" loading="lazy" alt="Michael Milshtein" class="sc-5340b511-0 hLdNfA"/> Retired Israeli navy intelligence officer Michael Milshtein says Israel is taking a threat by backing Palestinian militia

Except for serving to to weaken Hamas, Israel's help for armed teams might make it simpler to divide Palestinian opposition to Israel, and preserve affect inside Gaza as soon as its forces withdraw.

Some critics say that arming disparate native teams will make it more durable to steer Hamas to disarm, and for worldwide forces to step into the function of securing Gaza.