Who is Abu Nassira, the man leading a new anti-Hamas militia in Gaza's Khan Younis?

Earlier this week, a new anti-Hamas armed group suddenly announced itself in Khan Younis, in southern Gaza.

Led by Shawqi Abu Nassira, a former officer in the Palestinian Authority's security services, the militia appears to follow a model similar to that of the Husam al-Astal group, which announced itself in the same city several months ago.

A video circulating on social media shows Abu Nassira addressing a group of masked youths, declaring the formation of his militia and vowing to fight Hamas, which has governed Gaza since 2007.

The participants appear unarmed, chanting slogans such as "The barking of dogs does not frighten lions" and "Death to Hamas". Clearly, Abu Nassira intends to challenge Hamas's authority.

The group reportedly operates in the eastern areas of Khan Younis, within what is dubbed "Yellow Line," regions where Israel maintains partial control.

On social media platforms, Abu Nassira claimed that his militia has roughly 30 members who "rejected oppression and suffering and decided to fight against Hamas," and that he hopes to expand their influence, leveraging his popularity among certain Gaza circles.

However, Abu Nassira's family issued a statement disavowing his actions.

"His actions do not represent us in any way," the family declared, affirming their continued commitment to "national principles and support for the Palestinian people’s resistance."

They described individual initiatives like Abu Nassira's as aligning with "[Israel's] plans" rather than with Palestinian national goals.

Who is Abu Nassira?

Shawqi Abu Nassira previously served as a major general in the Palestinian Authority's security forces before Hamas's takeover of Gaza in 2007.

He spent 22 years in Israeli prisons, including a daring escape attempt from Nafha prison through a tunnel under the desert.

Recently, Abu Nassira reportedly joined a network affiliated with Yasser Abu Shabab and the mercenary Ashraf al-Mansi, a move that drew condemnation across Gaza, according to Palestinian sources.

Analysts describe Abu Nassira's actions as the personal mobilisation of an armed front within a network that thrives on chaos and infiltration.

He is now part of a small circle tied to Abu Shabab's gang in southern Gaza, joining a growing number of anti-Hamas militias. Among these are the Husam al-Astal group in Khan Younis, Ashraf al-Mansi's militia in Beit Lahia, and Yasser Abu Shabab's faction in Rafah.

Speaking to The New Arab, Palestinian observers say this pattern represents a "battle for survival" among factions attempting to assert influence in a volatile environment.

Residents' concerns

For ordinary Palestinians in Gaza, even those opposed to Hamas, the growth of militias increases anxiety amid already dire living conditions.

"I am against Hamas's policy in Gaza, either its power or even its policy in dealing with the Israeli occupation, but such militias are more dangerous than Hamas and any other Palestinian factions," Khaled Abu Tamim, a displaced resident of a camp west of Deir al-Balah, remarked to TNA.

"Such militias are implementing the Israeli orders and tasks against the Palestinian people, and they will kill anyone they want, and this is unacceptable for our population," he said.

"Life will become even more difficult for people. We are looking for security; we don't want another faction imposing control or dragging us into conflicts that have nothing to do with ordinary civilians. Children and women are the most affected," Abu Tamim added. "Every time a new group emerges, our fear increases, and our sense of insecurity grows. We barely have enough to eat or safe places to live, and these new groups make everything more unpredictable."

Samar al-Hallaq, a mother of three from Gaza City, similarly voiced deep concern over the emergence of new armed groups in the besieged enclave.

"People here can barely get enough food or clean water. How are we supposed to tolerate new groups that could impose taxes or interfere in our daily lives?" she told TNA.

Her worry is not abstract; it is grounded in the constant struggle to secure necessities amid Israel's ongoing genocide.

"All we want is for the war to end and for us to have a chance to live in peace," she added. "Every day that passes, and we hear about a new militia, my anxiety for my children’s future grows. Will they be safe in school, on the streets, or even at home?"

TNA attempted several times to reach Hazem Qassem, Hamas's spokesperson, for comment, but received no response until publication.

Nevertheless, sources within the movement, who requested anonymity due to the sensitivity of the issue, told TNA that "Hamas considers any armed group operating east of Khan Younis or along the Yellow Line as a direct threat to the internal security of Gaza."

 "These groups, by acting independently, risk creating chaos in neighbourhoods already strained by shortages of food, water, and medical supplies. We are closely monitoring their movements and intentions," the sources said.

The source added that while Hamas has not disclosed specific operational plans, the leadership remains vigilant.

"Our priority is the safety of civilians and maintaining order," the sources said. "We will respond when necessary, but the exact timing and nature of our actions are confidential. We cannot afford to escalate tensions further, especially when families are living in such dire conditions."

The sources emphasised the broader implications, warning that unchecked militias could further destabilise Gaza.

"It's not just about weapons or territory; It's about control, influence, and the risk of further dividing a population already under immense pressure. Hamas is aware, and they are weighing their options carefully," the sources argued.

Political implications

Palestinian analysts interpret these developments as part of a broader strategy of destabilisation.

"The appearance of small armed groups is not just symbolic; It reflects the chaos imposed by Israel after the weakening of security forces in various regions. Israel may attempt to exploit these groups to control or fragment Gaza further," Ahed Ferwana, a Gaza-based political analyst, told TNA.

"It reflects the chaos imposed by Israel after the weakening of security forces in various regions. Israel may attempt to exploit these groups to control or fragment Gaza further," he said.

Ferwana stressed that Palestinian armed factions suffered severe losses in recent wars, leaving many weakened.

"Their future depends heavily on whether international agreements aimed at disarming factions and managing reconstruction are implemented. Until then, militias could proliferate," he explained.

Hossam al-Dajani, another Gaza analyst, described such armed groups as a form of "national treason."

"Any Palestinian who collaborates with the occupation, regardless of previous political disagreements with Hamas or other factions, is seen as a traitor," he told TNA, saying, "Internal criticism is one thing, but taking up arms in ways that align with the enemy’s agenda is widely condemned."

Al-Dajani also highlighted that Netanyahu's government leverages US support to prolong its occupation in Gaza, carry out targeted assassinations, and suppress armed resistance.

"This prolongs instability, delays reconstruction, and leaves civilians exposed to ongoing violence," he said.

For Ramallah-based Esmat Mansour, Gaza's new militias are likely to fail in the long term.

"The current conditions encourage their rise but do not ensure legitimacy within Palestinian society," he told TNA.

"However," he says, "The Palestinian people can withstand the occupation. Israel has failed to uproot or displace them."

Mansour stressed that resistance would persist even under Israeli control, often through small cells, and called for Israel's withdrawal and a unified Palestinian government supported internationally.

He noted that post-war power vacuums fuel militias, some linked to Israel, and outlined scenarios: continued division, comprehensive Palestinian governance, or renewed armed confrontation.