Free Homeland Forces
| Free Homeland Forces | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Leader | Shawqi Abu Nasira |
| Dates of operation | 2025–present |
| Country |  Palestine |
| Allegiance | Popular Forces administration |
| Headquarters | Eastern Khan Yunis |
| Active regions | Rafah and Khan Yunis |
| Ideology | Anti-Hamas |
| Status | Active |
| Size | ~30 |
| Part of | Popular Forces |
| Allies |  Israel |
| Opponents | |
| Wars | |
The Free Homeland Forces (Arabic: قوات الوطن الحر, romanized: al-Quwwat al-Watan al-Hu'ri),[1] also known as the Popular Army in Rafah (Arabic: الجيش الشعبي في رفح, romanized: Al-Jaysh al-Shaabi fi Rafah)[2] is an anti-Hamas Palestinian militant group led by Shawqi Abu Nasira, a former Palestinian Authority officer.[3] His group reportedly operates as part of the Popular Forces[4] and is composed of around 30 fighters.[5] His group is headquartered in Eastern Khan Yunis, though it operates in both Rafah and Khan Yunis. The existence of the group was only revealed in late November 2025, however it has been active since several months prior.
Background and history
Shawqi Abu Nasira
Shawqi Abu Nasira, is former Palestinian Authority Lieutenant Colonel and Fatah member.[6] 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. One of Abu Nasira's sons was reportedly killed during the Gaza war by Hamas for criticizing Hamas, which led to him opposing Hamas.[7][8]
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.[9][10]
Operations
While the existence of the group was only revealed in late November 2025, it had reportedly already been active for several months.[11]
The FHF/PAR reportedly operates as part of the Popular Forces[4] and is composed of around 30 fighters.[5]
On December 25, Shawqi Abu Nasira accused Hamas of raiding his home, abducting his wife and stealing money, a gas canister and solar panels.[12] Hamas's Arrow Unit later announced they had detained his son and wife.[12]
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.[13]
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".[7]
Raid on Abu Nasira's home
In late December of 2025, Abu Nasira accused Hamas of having raided his house, abducted his wife and also stealing money, a gas canister and some solar panels. "I don’t know if this is a rule of law or of larceny" Abu Nasira said in an interview on 23 December 2025 with Jusoor News, a pan-Arab and anti-Hamas media outlet.[1]
The Gaza police's unit known as the Sahm 103 unit or Arrow Unit, which specializes in targeting collaborators with Israel, confirmed on its Telegram channel that it detained Abu Nasira’s wife on 22 December 2025, and also said that it detained Abu Nasira's son.[1]
The Sahm unit/Arrow unit claimed that Abu Nasira’s family members had 700,000 Israeli shekels ($220,000 at the time) in their possession.[1]
References
- ^ a b c d Lehmann, Noam (25 December 2025). "Gaza militia chief says Hamas raided his home, arrested his wife". The Times of Israel. ISSN 0040-7909. Retrieved 28 December 2025.
- ^ Truzman, Joe (6 December 2025). "Anti-Hamas Popular Forces militia leader killed in Gaza". FDD's Long War Journal. Retrieved 17 December 2025.
- ^ "New Gaza militia declares war on Hamas: 'Your dirty shoes are more honorable'". Yahoo News. 23 November 2025. Retrieved 3 December 2025.
- ^ a b Israel, David (8 February 2026). "Report: Israel Supports Gaza Proxy Militias Fighting Hamas | The Jewish Edition". Retrieved 8 February 2026.
- ^ a b "Shawqi Abu Nasira". ECFR. 25 November 2025. Retrieved 4 December 2025.
- ^ "Shawqi Abu Nasira". European Council on Foreign Relations. 25 November 2025. Retrieved 1 December 2025.
- ^ a b 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.
- ^ "Anti-Hamas militia emerges in Khan Younis, Gaza". Israel Hayom. 23 November 2025. Retrieved 1 December 2025.
- ^ "UN rights office says 'anarchy' spreading in Gaza". Reuters. 19 July 2024. Retrieved 19 July 2024.
- ^ 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.
- ^ "Shawqi Abu Nasira". European Council on Foreign Relations. 25 November 2025. Retrieved 1 December 2025.
- ^ a b Lehmann, Noam (25 December 2025). "Gaza militia chief says Hamas raided his home, arrested his wife". The Times of Israel. ISSN 0040-7909. Retrieved 30 December 2025.
- ^ "New Gaza militia forms under Shawqi Abu Nasira". The Jerusalem Post. 23 November 2025. Retrieved 3 December 2025.