Popular Army in Rafah

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Popular Army in Rafah
LeaderShawqi Abu Nasira
Dates of operation2025–present
CountryFlag of Palestine.svg Palestine
AllegianceFlag of Palestine.svg Popular Forces administration
HeadquartersEastern Khan Yunis
Active regions Rafah and Khan Yunis
Ideology Anti-Hamas
StatusActive
Size~30
Part ofFlag of Palestine.svg Popular Forces
Battles and wars

The Popular Army in Rafah [1] is an anti-Hamas Palestinian militant group led by Shawqi Abu Nasira, a former Palestinian Authority officer. [2] His group reportedly operates as part of the Popular Forces and is composed of around 30 fighters. [3] His group is active in Eastern Khan Yunis. The existence of the group was only revealed in late November 2025, however it has been active since several months prior.

Contents

Background and history

Shawqi Abu Nasira

Shawqi Abu Nasira, is former Palestinian Authority Lieutenant Colonel and Fatah member. [4] During the 1980s, Abu Nasira was reportedly imprisoned for 16 years by Israel for militant activity, and briefly escaped from prison. Following his release and the implementation of the Oslo Accords, he joined the Palestinian Authority security forces. Abu Nasira's son was reportedly killed during the Gaza war by Hamas, which led to him opposing Hamas. [5] [6]

Societal breakdown in Gaza

During the course of the Gaza war, societal breakdown across the Gaza Strip caused by offensives launched by the Israel Defense Forces has caused: starvation, famine, lack of supplies and a weaker Hamas created by the conflict has led to the rise of anti-Hamas armed elements in the Gaza Strip. [7] [8]

Operations

While the existence of the group was only revealed in late November 2025, it had reportedly already been active for several months. [9]

Relations

Abu Nasira has stated that his group is not collaborating with Israel, and has stated that Iran, which supports Hamas, is the enemy "of Islam and Sunnis". The rest of the Abu Nasira family has disavowed him. [10]

Abu Nasira claims that he is in contact with other anti-Hamas militant groups on establishing a united front called the "National Guard for East Gaza". [5]

References

  1. ↑ Truzman, Joe (6 December 2025). "Anti-Hamas Popular Forces militia leader killed in Gaza". FDD's Long War Journal. Retrieved 17 December 2025.
  2. ↑ "New Gaza militia declares war on Hamas: 'Your dirty shoes are more honorable'". Yahoo News. 23 November 2025. Retrieved 3 December 2025.
  3. ↑ "Shawqi Abu Nasira". ECFR. 25 November 2025. Retrieved 4 December 2025.
  4. ↑ "Shawqi Abu Nasira". European Council on Foreign Relations. 25 November 2025. Retrieved 1 December 2025.
  5. 1 2 Staff, A. O. L. (2 December 2025). "Gaza militia leader forms rival force against Hamas, warns terrorists are regrouping amid ceasefire". www.aol.com. Retrieved 3 December 2025.
  6. ↑ "Anti-Hamas militia emerges in Khan Younis, Gaza". Israel Hayom. 23 November 2025. Retrieved 1 December 2025.
  7. ↑ "UN rights office says 'anarchy' spreading in Gaza". Reuters. 19 July 2024. Retrieved 19 July 2024.
  8. ↑ Sunghay, Ajith (19 July 2024). "Observations from Gaza by Head of UN Human Rights office for the Occupied Palestinian Territory Ajith Sunghay". UN Human Rights Office for the Occupied Palestinian Territory. Retrieved 19 July 2024.
  9. ↑ "Shawqi Abu Nasira". European Council on Foreign Relations. 25 November 2025. Retrieved 1 December 2025.
  10. ↑ "New Gaza militia forms under Shawqi Abu Nasira". The Jerusalem Post. 23 November 2025. Retrieved 3 December 2025.
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