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Hussam al-Astal, leader of the militia group Strike Force, firing his gun in Gaza.
Despite this, internal conflict continues in Gaza. According to CNN report, 5 Israel-backed militia groups have become active in Gaza. This group is targeting and killing Hamas members in different areas of Gaza.
At least five groups are operating in Israel-occupied eastern Gaza. They are trying to remove Hamas from power, so that it can form its own rule. Israel gives them open support.
Earlier this month, Popular Forces leader Yasser Abu Shabaab was killed. Israel had given maximum support to this group. Hamas celebrated his death and distributed sweets. Hamas called him a traitor.
After the death of Abu Shabaab, his militia weakened. Many fighters have surrendered. Israel had previously said the Abu Shabaab faction would protect the reconstruction in Rafah. Netanyahu admitted in June 2025 that he was activating these groups.

Yasser Abu Shabaab, the leader of the militia group Popular Forces, was assassinated on 4 December.

Hamas fighters distributed sweets after the death of Yasser Abu Shabab.
Claim- Hamas’ Imam was murdered by the militia.
In early November, Imam Sheikh Mohammed Abu Mustafa was shot dead by an assailant riding a motorcycle as he left a mosque after afternoon prayers in southern Gaza.
An Islamist militant group claimed that the killing was carried out by a militia group. Another Hamas-linked group later said the slain imam was a jihadist who had helped hide Israeli hostages during the Gaza war.
The killing was linked to an Israeli-backed militia led by Hussam al-Astal.
Militia head said- vowed to defeat Hamas
In a phone conversation with CNN, militia head al-Astal denied his group’s role. He said that the imam was a member of Hamas, and that he welcomed the death of any Hamas member.
Astal’s organization calls itself the Counter-Terrorism Strike Force and claims control of a village in the Israeli-occupied part of Khan Yunis.
This group is also supported by Israel. Al-Astal has vowed to defeat Hamas. Other factions such as the Popular Army and the Popular Defense Army are in different areas. These groups are small and have less public support. Still attacking Hamas.

Yasser Abu Shabaab (right) with members of his group in Gaza.
Hamas is strengthening control in western Gaza
After two years of war, Gaza has been divided into two parts. Israeli forces have withdrawn from western Gaza. Hamas is again consolidating control in the western part.
Israel has withdrawn its army from there. Most of the population of Gaza lives here. Hamas is the dominant force here. The eastern part is occupied by Israel. This is called the Yellow Line. There are less citizens here. Small armed groups are active. They are increasing their influence.
Militia groups increasing instability in Gaza
At least five groups are working under Israel’s supervision. Earlier these were opportunistic gangs. Now they have become a network. They want a share in power after the withdrawal of Hamas. Al-Astal said that there are talks among all the groups. Everyone has the same goal, to defeat Hamas.
These militia groups have weapons. They have a few dozen fighters and vehicles. They work from different locations and post propaganda videos on social media.
In these, masked people wearing black uniforms are seen holding rifles and raising slogans to liberate Gaza from Hamas. Although these groups are small and lack public support, they are increasing instability in Gaza.
After the ceasefire, in the areas where Hamas is consolidating its power, these militias are challenging it by conducting raids.

Rami Halas, leader of the militia group Popular Defense Army, reading a statement.
Hamas has 8 militia members were shot
Hamas has also started retaliating. Hamas wants to completely eliminate the militia. This has increased the fear of civil war in Gaza.
In October, a viral video surfaced in which masked Hamas fighters shot 8 militia members on the street. Hamas described these people as spies of Israel.
In the video, 8 people were made to sit blindfolded and shot by Hamas fighters. During this, some people were seen raising slogans of Allah-Hu-Akbar.

Hamas fighters openly shot eight militia members on the street in October.
Israel will give responsibility of security of Rafah to militia group
US President Donald Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner said in October that the Gaza reconstruction project could begin in Hamas-free areas, particularly Rafah. Rafah is the area where Yasser Abu Shabaab’s militia was active.
These militia groups describe themselves as part of Gaza’s future. Their leaders say that their role will be important and that they have the ability to govern at the local level. “We will definitely be in the ‘day after’ plan,” said Hussam al-Astal, a militia leader.
Israeli sources said that despite the death of Abu Shabaab, Israel will continue to support these militias. Abu Shabaab militias were to be tasked with protecting the reconstruction site in Rafah.
what about the militia supports israel
Israel supports small anti-Hamas armed groups (militias) inside Gaza. These groups are mainly active in eastern Gaza. Operate inside the Yellow Line in Israeli occupied territory.
- Arms and ammunition- Israel has provided light weapons to these groups. Like Kalashnikov rifles. Some weapons snatched from Hamas were also given.
- Security- The Israeli army coordinates with these militias. Helps in attacks on Hamas. Like telling the target in an air strike.
- Logistics help- Provides water, electricity and other facilities. Provides security to their hideouts.
- Security of humanitarian aid- Some militias guard aid trucks. Israel supports it.
Why support Israel
Israel’s main goal is to weaken Hamas and eliminate its power from Gaza. Hamas is a big enemy of Israel. These militias attack Hamas.
After the ceasefire, Israel wants to retain control of the eastern part of the Yellow Line. These militias perform tasks like local governance there. This gives Israel indirect control.
According to Israeli officials, this step is necessary for security. Netanyahu had previously said that “this saves the lives of Israeli soldiers.
Israel made a new map of Gaza, captured 50% of the land
Israel has captured more than 50% of Gaza’s land and declared it its territory. Israeli Army Chief Eyal Zamir has described the ‘Yellow Line’ mentioned in the Gaza ceasefire plan as the new border. This line will now act as Israel’s ‘security border’.
Zamir said that Israel will not give up its current military positions. Because of these positions, Israel is controlling more than half of Gaza. It contains most of Gaza’s cultivated land. Apart from this, the border crossing (Rafa) with Egypt is also included in this part.
The Israeli government did not comment on Army Chief Zamir’s statement. One officer even said that the Israeli army is deployed ‘as per the terms of the ceasefire’ and alleged that Hamas is breaking the ceasefire.

Two years of war passed, Gaza is in ruins
It has been more than two years since the Gaza war started with the attack by Hamas. On October 7, 2023, Hamas infiltrated Israel and took about 251 people hostage.
In response, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu immediately declared war and started attacks on Hamas.
So far, more than 67 thousand Palestinians have been killed, including 18,430 children (about 31%). There are approximately 39,384 children listed in Gaza whose parents have been killed.
At the same time, 17,000 Palestinian children have lost both their parents. Relief agencies say – this is no longer a city, just a camp of survivors.
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