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 Gaza Strip that are currently under Israeli military occupation. If true, this is the first area in Gaza not administrated by Hamas since 2007.
Popular Forces administration in the Gaza Strip | |
|---|---|
Flag | |
Areas of influence of the Popular Forces (including claimed territories of the Popular Army – Northern Forces) | |
| Status | Unrecognized rival administration under Israeli military occupation |
| Capital | Al-Bayuk, Rafah Governorate |
| Government | |
• Leader | Ghassan Duhine |
| Establishment | Gaza war |
• 26 June 2025 | Claim of territory in eastern Rafah |
• October 2025 | Claim of territory in northern Gaza |
| Population | |
• 2025 estimate | ~2,000 |
Website Yasser Abu Shabab - Popular Forces | |
More than 2,000 Palestinian civilians live in the Popular Forces' territory, according to the group's then-leader Yasser Abu Shabab.
The group claims control of Al-Bayuk as its headquarters, eastern Rafah, eastern Khan Yunis, and humanitarian aid routes near the Kerem Shalom border crossing. It says it has freedom of movement in the wider Rafah area. Furthermore, the Popular Army – Northern Forces, which reportedly operates as part of the Popular Forces, has claimed control over several areas in northern Gaza.
Background
Before the war, the land presently administrated by the Popular Forces belonged to the Tarabin Bedouin tribe, of which Yasser Abu Shabab was a member.
The last attempt at a large-scale armed revolt against the Hamas government in Gaza was in 2009, when 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
In Southern Gaza
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. 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. By August, The Washington Post was describing the Popular Forces as "the de facto authority in southeastern Gaza".
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.
Public services
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, Sky News similarly reported that medical facilities, a school, and a mosque have been built by the Popular Forces.
In Northern Gaza
On 14 October, the Popular Army – Northern Forces claimed it had taken control of several areas in northern Gaza, and warned Hamas forces against approaching their territories. Its flag featuring the logo of PANF, is displayed on its vehicles and facilities within its territory.
Leaders and commanders
| Name | Role | Status | references |
|---|---|---|---|
| Yasser Abu Shabab | Leader, until 4 December 2025 | Fugitive, killed on 4 December 2025 | |
| Ghassan Duhine | Commander of the Popular Forces' armed wing the Counter-Terrorism Service, new leader of the Popular Forces after Yasser Abu Shabab's death. | Wounded on 4 December 2025, current leader of the Popular Forces | |
| Abu Awad | Spokesperson | ||
| Issam Nabahin | Senior commander | Fugitive | |
| Ashraf al-Mansi | Leader of the Popular Army – Northern Forces | ||
| Ahmad Zidan al-Tarabin | Responsible for recruiting militants | Executed by Hamas | |
| Hassan Abu Shabab | Commander and relative of Yasser Abu Shabab | ||
| Shawqi Abu Nasira | Leader of an anti-Hamas group that is allegedly linked to the Popular Forces | Leader of the Popular Army in Rafah |
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
- Shuja'iyya Popular Defense Forces
- Shuja'iyya Popular Defense Forces administration in the Gaza Strip
- Rival government
- Wartime collaboration
- Project New Gaza
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