Counter-Terrorism Strike Force administration in the Gaza Strip

Counter-Terrorism Strike Force administration in the Gaza Strip
Emblem
Kizan al-Najjar in the Gaza Strip
Status	Unrecognized 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

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] Al-Astal claims that the CSF is not interested in ruling the Gaza Strip and is instead seeking "to move the [Gazan] people from Hamas’s rule to civilian rule". ^[3]

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. ^[4] Kizan al-Najjar had been depopulated due to the war, but displaced Gazans invited by al-Astal began resettling the village. ^[5]

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. ^[6]

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. ^[7]

Population and society

Al-Astal says the civilian population in Kizan al-Najjar consists of "dozens of families" fleeing from Hamas, and is growing. ^[5]

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. ^[5]

See also

• Popular Forces administration in the Gaza Strip
• Doghmosh clan administration in Tel al-Hawa ^{[8] [9]}
• Al-Majayda administration in Khan Younis city ^{[10] [11]}
• Hellis administration in Shejaia ^{[12] [13]}
• Wartime collaboration
• Rival government

References

1. 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. Magid, Jacob; Yohanan, Nurit (2025-10-16). "Trump: If Hamas doesn't stop killing Gazans, 'we will have no choice but to go in and kill them'". The Times of Israel. ISSN   0040-7909 . Retrieved 2025-10-17.
4. 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.
5. 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.
6. 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.
7. "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.
8. https://nypost.com/2025/10/14/world-news/who-are-the-armed-clans-fighting-or-backing-hamas-in-gaza-power-vacuum/
9. https://community.triblive.com/news/3898278
10. https://nypost.com/2025/10/14/world-news/who-are-the-armed-clans-fighting-or-backing-hamas-in-gaza-power-vacuum/
11. https://community.triblive.com/news/3898278
12. https://nypost.com/2025/10/14/world-news/who-are-the-armed-clans-fighting-or-backing-hamas-in-gaza-power-vacuum/
13. https://community.triblive.com/news/3898278