Counter-Terrorism Strike Force administration in the Gaza Strip

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Counter-Terrorism Strike Force administration in the Gaza Strip
Logo of the CSF.jpg
Emblem
October 2023 Gaza-Israel conflict.svg
Kizan al-Najjar in the Gaza Strip
StatusUnrecognized self-proclaimed rival administration
Capital Kizan al-Najjar, Khan Yunis Governorate
Government
• Leader
Hussam al-Astal
Establishment Gaza war
• Claim of control over Kizan al-Najjar [1]
18 September 2025
Population
• Estimate
~30 families

The Counter-Terrorism Strike Force (CSF), a Palestinian anti-Hamas armed group, is based in and governs the village of Kizan al-Najjar in the Khan Yunis Governorate of the Gaza Strip. The CSF, led by Husam al-Astal, had emerged in August 2025 as a rival to Hamas amid the Gaza war and the associated societal breakdown in the Gaza Strip. [2]

Contents

History

CSF control over Kizan al-Najjar was first announced in September 2025, with al-Astal referring to the area as a "humanitarian zone" for which he was responsible. [1] The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) reportedly evacuated the village and transferred it to al-Astal's control. [3] Kizan al-Najjar had been depopulated due to the war, but displaced Gazans invited by al-Astal began resettling the village. [4]

The CSF has been able to deploy its fighters outside of its territory, as shown by its intervention during the Hamas raid in Khan Yunis on 3 October. [5]

With the implementation of the 10 October ceasefire in Gaza, al-Astal says the CSF territory now lies along the new frontline that the IDF pulled back to, though its troops remain nearby. [6]

Population and society

Al-Astal says the civilian population in Kizan al-Najjar consists of around 30 families fleeing from Hamas, and is growing. [7] [4]

According to a CSF video published online, Kizan al-Najjar boasts brightly lit buildings, a rarity in the Gaza Strip due to Israel cutting power to the territory during the war. Al-Astal claims solar panels are used in the village and that he expects Israel to provide direct electricity and water. [4]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 Yohanan, Nurit (2025-09-18). "Armed group claims to set up area in Khan Younis for Gazans seeking alternative to Hamas rule". The Times of Israel. ISSN   0040-7909 . Retrieved 2025-10-13.
  2. ↑ Truzman, Joe (2025-09-19). "New anti-Hamas militia emerges in Gaza". FDD's Long War Journal. Retrieved 2025-10-13.
  3. ↑ 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.
  4. 1 2 3 Yohanan, Nurit (2025-09-22). "In southern Gaza, new anti-Hamas enclave emerges under militia claiming Israeli backing". The Times of Israel. ISSN   0040-7909 . Retrieved 2025-10-13.
  5. ↑ Fabian, Emanuel; Yohanan, Nurit (2025-10-03). "Israeli airstrikes thwart Hamas attack on rival armed Gazan group in Strip's south". The Times of Israel. ISSN   0040-7909 . Retrieved 2025-10-03.
  6. ↑ "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 . Retrieved 2025-10-13.
  7. ↑ Merwe, Ben van der; Doak, Sam; Data; Unit, Forensics; Alkhaldi, Celine; producer, Middle East. "Revealed: The plan for a 'New Gaza' - and the four militias Israel is backing to defeat Hamas". Sky News. Retrieved 2025-10-30.
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