Emergence of Anti-Hamas Militias Challenges Gaza's Future Stability

Sat Nov 22 2025 06:37:29 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

As armed groups rise up against Hamas, urgent questions arise regarding their future role in Gaza amidst ongoing efforts for peace and security management.

A patchwork of armed groups has emerged in Gaza, challenging Hamas's control. These militias, backed by various factions including Israel, raise questions about their integration into peace efforts as international oversight is sought under a new stabilization plan. Responses from the community reflect a mix of support and discontent towards these armed factions, highlighting the complexity of Gaza's socio-political landscape post-Hamas.

Emergence of Anti-Hamas Militias Challenges Gaza's Future Stability

Urgent questions are being raised over a patchwork of armed groups that have emerged to fight Hamas in Gaza over recent months. They include groups based around family clans, criminal gangs, and new militia – some of which are backed by Israel, as its prime minister recently admitted. Elements within the Palestinian Authority, which governs parts of the occupied West Bank and is a political rival to Hamas, are also believed to be covertly sending support.

These militias, operating within the 53% of Gaza's territory currently controlled by Israeli forces, have not been officially included in US President Donald Trump's peace plan. This plan calls for an International Stabilisation Force and a newly-trained Palestinian police force to secure Gaza in the next stage of the deal.

One of the largest militia, headed by Yasser Abu Shabab, operates near the southern city of Rafah. In a recent social media video, a deputy commander discussed coordination efforts with the Board of Peace, the international entity tasked with overseeing governance in Gaza under the proposed plan.

Hossam al-Astal, leader of the Counter-Terrorism Strike Force militia near Khan Younis, expressed optimism this week regarding a role for his group in a future police force for Gaza, based on conversations with US representatives. However, a US official stated that there’s no announcement regarding this at present.

Al-Astal, who previously worked for the Palestinian Authority, is confident about his militia which runs a well-supplied tent city and claims to receive support from various sources as well as Israel. He claims to provide shelter to families, presenting his group as an alternative to Hamas.

Conversely, many Gazans express dissatisfaction with the growing power of these new armed factions. Critics believe that despite disillusionment with Hamas, reliance on militiamen with ties to Israel poses significant risks. Residents like Saleh Sweidan voice concerns that these groups represent a shift towards a governance model grounded in criminality rather than structured authority.

The situation is complicated further by Israel's endorsement of these groups, which has been viewed by some experts as a strategic blunder reminiscent of past decisions that led to unintended consequences. Critics fear that arming these disparate groups could backfire, jeopardizing future peace and stability in Gaza.

As the international community seeks a path forward in Gaza, the question remains: Will these new armed groups coalesce into a stable force for peace, or will they exacerbate tensions and transform into a future threat?