Hamas Reportedly Demands Dismantling of Israeli-Backed Militias as Their Operations Expand in Gaza

Amid talks over Gaza’s future, Saudi outlet Al-Sharq reported that Hamas is making the dismantling of Palestinian militias operating with Israeli support a key condition in any future discussion of demilitarizing the Strip. The report says those groups have recently widened their activities and are carrying out actions against Hamas operatives, including targeted arrests and killings.

According to the report, militia members have also begun using advanced equipment provided to them, including drones used for intelligence gathering and reconnaissance. The channel said five major groups are currently operating in Gaza with Israeli backing.

The reported leaders are Ghassan al-Dahini in Rafah, Hussam al-Astal in Khan Younis, Ashraf al-Mansi in northern Gaza, Rami Hales in eastern Gaza City, and Shouqi Abu Nsira in central Gaza. Al-Sharq said the groups include several hundred operatives who are being trained and supplied with weapons and funding, and that many previously served in the Palestinian Authority’s security services.

In response, Hamas is reportedly trying to curb their influence by setting up checkpoints and increasing the activity of its own security organs to identify their members. The militias, for their part, are said to use camouflage and civilian vehicles throughout the Strip, while also establishing residential compounds and headquarters for fighters and their families inside the so-called yellow zone, areas damaged in the fighting and under IDF control.