Popular Forces administration in the Gaza Strip
Popular Forces administration in the Gaza Strip | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Status | Unrecognized rival administration under Israeli military occupation |
| Capital | Al-Bayuk, Rafah Governorate |
| Government | |
• Leader | Yasser Abu Shabab |
| Establishment | Gaza war |
• 26 June 2025 | Claim of territory in eastern Rafah[2] |
• October 2025 | Claim of territory in northern Gaza |
| Population | |
• 2025 estimate | ~2,000[3] |
 |
|---|
During the Gaza war, the Popular Forces, an anti-Hamas, Israeli-backed, and allegedly Islamic State-linked armed group, has claimed control over large amounts of the southeastern Gaza Strip that are currently under Israeli military occupation.[3][4]
The Popular Forces' claimed territory, where more than 2,000 Palestinian civilians live according to Shabab,[3] is the first area in Gaza not administrated by Hamas since 2007.[5]
The group claims control of Al-Bayuk (its headquarters),[6] eastern Rafah,[3][5][2] eastern Khan Yunis,[7] and humanitarian aid routes near the Kerem Shalom border crossing.[8][9] It has freedom of movement in the wider Rafah area.[2] Furthermore, the Peopleʻs Army Northern Forces, which reportedly operates as part of the Popular Forces,[10] has claimed control over several areas in northern Gaza.[11]
Background
Before the war, the land presently administrated by the Popular Forces belonged to the Tarabin Bedouin tribe, of which Yasser Abu Shabab is a member.[5]
The last attempt by a rival Palestinian group to rebel against Hamas also happened to take place in the Rafah Governorate. In 2009, Jund Ansar Allah, a Gazan Salafi jihadist group, engaged in clashes with Hamas forces after declaring the establishment of an Islamic emirate in Gaza.
History
Establishment of a new administration
In late May 2025, the Rafah Governorate came under full Israeli operational control following its successful Rafah offensive against Hamas, in which the Popular Forces participated.[12][13] As of 27 June, the group was reportedly in control of eastern Rafah, enjoyed freedom of movement in the wider Rafah area, and was working on building an independent administration.[2] By August, The Washington Post was describing the Popular Forces as "the de facto authority in southeastern Gaza".[3]
After consolidation of Popular Forces control, Abu Shabab began launching a recruitment drive to staff “administrative and community committees,” including doctors and nurses, engineers, primary schoolteachers and public relations experts. The Popular Forces began setting up checkpoints in Israeli occupied territory to screen convoys of international aid workers entering Gaza, and claimed they were providing security to aid trucks. Abu Shabab also said that they have built schools, health centers and other civilian infrastructure.[3]
On 24 July, The Wall Street Journal published an opinion piece written by Abu Shabab, where he called on the United States and Arab countries to recognize the Popular Forces' administration. He also claimed armed patrols were providing security and that civilians in the area were enjoying a better quality of life, untouched by the humanitarian crisis elsewhere in Gaza.[5][4][14]
According to Mondoweiss, the territory claimed by the Popular Forces could be used to concentrate 600,000 displaced Palestinians, and the United Arab Emirates and Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) may be involved in this project.[15]
October 2025 ceasefire
Following the implementation of a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip on 10 October, the Popular Forces said that they welcomed the agreement, but would "continue to defend their lands" and had no intention of leaving the Gaza Strip.[16]
On 14 October, the al-Mansi group claimed it had taken control of several areas in northern Gaza, and warned Hamas forces against approaching their territories.[11][17]
See also
- Hamas–Popular Forces conflict
- Societal breakdown in the Gaza Strip during the Gaza war
- Counter-Terrorism Strike Force
- Counter-Terrorism Strike Force administration in the Gaza Strip
- Rival government
- Wartime collaboration
References
- ^ "Facebook Photo". Facebook. Retrieved 5 August 2025.
- ^ a b c d "Battling to survive, Hamas faces defiant clans and doubts over Iran". Reuters. 2025-06-27. Retrieved 2025-07-29.
- ^ a b c d e f "Israel's support for clans in Gaza puts tribal strongman in spotlight". The Washington Post. 2025-08-03. ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved 2025-08-03.
- ^ a b Ynetnews (2025-07-27). "In Gaza's Rafah, rebel commander claims war already over—and offers alternative to Hamas". Ynetnews. Retrieved 2025-07-29.
- ^ a b c d "Yasser Abu Shabab claims captured Gazan land from Hamas". The Jerusalem Post. 2025-07-26.
- ^ "Gaza War Map".
- ^ Halabi, Einav (2025-10-12). "Gaza militia commander tells ynet: 'Hamas is weak — it's only a matter of time until it falls'". Ynetglobal. Retrieved 2025-10-13.
- ^ "Champion of the people or a traitor? A new force emerges in southern Gaza". CNN. 2025-06-08. Retrieved 2025-10-13.
- ^ "'Popular Forces': Who are the Gaza gangsters being armed by Israel?". Middle East Eye. 12 June 2025. Retrieved 2025-10-13.
- ^ "Hamas reappears on Gaza's streets, and two of three militias that fought it go quiet". The Times of Israel. 2025-10-12. ISSN 0040-7909.
- ^ a b Yohanan, Nurit (2025-10-14). "Militia commander in northern Gaza: We have taken control of areas, call on Hamas to stay away". The Times of Israel. ISSN 0040-7909. Retrieved 2025-10-16.
- ^ Eichner, Itamar; Halabi, Einav (2025-06-05). "Liberman accuses Netanyahu of arming ISIS-linked militias in Gaza; PM's office offers no denial". Ynetnews. Retrieved 2025-07-29.
- ^ Fabian, Emanuel; Yohanan, Nurit; Freiberg, Nava (June 5, 2025). "Israel providing guns to Gaza gang to bolster opposition to Hamas". The Times of Israel.
- ^ Abu Shabab, Yasser (24 July 2025). "Opinion | Gazans Are Finished With Hamas". The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved 2025-07-31.
- ^ "Is the UAE involved in Israel's Gaza 'concentration camp' scheme? Here's what we know". Mondoweiss. 2025-07-31. Retrieved 2025-07-31.
- ^ "Anti-Hamas militia vows to stay in Rafah after ceasefire". The Jerusalem Post. 2025-10-10. Retrieved 2025-10-10.
- ^ https://news.sky.com/story/videos-show-fresh-evidence-of-israeli-support-for-gaza-militia-13451682
