Counter-Terrorism Strike Force

Counter-Terrorism Strike Force
LeaderHusam al-Astal
Dates of operation21 August 2025  – present
Split from Popular Forces[1]
HeadquartersKizan al-Najjar, Khan Yunis
IdeologyAnti-Hamas
Size~40 fighters[2]
Allies
Opponents
Battles and wars
WebsiteOfficial Facebook page
Politics of the Gaza Strip
Administrative history
Gaza Strip under Hamas
Gaza Strip under Resolution 2803
Administrative divisions
Conflict with Israel
Foreign relations

The Counter-Terrorism Strike Force (CSF) also known as the Strike Force Against Terror[3] is a Palestinian militant organization that has emerged during the Gaza war (2023–present). It is based in Kizan al-Najjar, Khan Yunis, and reportedly supported by Israel.

Background

The CSF was founded on 21 August 2025 during the societal breakdown within Gaza, stating to combat the "repression and terrorism practiced by Hamas". It is based in and controls the village of Kizan al-Najjar, south of Khan Yunis.[4][3]

CSF leadership appears to consist largely of figures affiliated with Fatah, from al-Astal's extended family.[5]

History

The neoconservative Foundation for Defense of Democracies said that the CSF is supported by Israel's Shin Bet and the Israel Defense Forces.[6] According to the Jerusalem Post the CSF and the Popular Forces are reportedly in contact with one another but work independently.[7]

The group is led by Husam al-Astal, a Palestinian Bedouin who worked in Israel and then worked for the Palestinian Authority security forces when they still controlled Gaza. He has spoken favorably about the era of direct Israeli military rule in Gaza prior to the 2005 disengagement. Astal was previously imprisoned and given a death sentence by Hamas for his involvement with Israel, and was accused of involvement in the 2018 assassination of a Hamas-associated engineer in Malaysia.[7] Before founding the CSF, Ynet reported that al-Astal was a member of the Popular Forces.[4]

Al-Astal has said that the CSF helped defend the Al-Mujaida clan of Khan Yunis after Hamas forces launched a raid targeting it on 3 October 2025.[8] It marked the first time the group battled Hamas.[9]

In October 2025, the CSF reached an agreement with the Israeli Defense Forces to establish a "Green Line" where no fighting would take place.[10]

In November 2025, Al-Astal told Israeli media that "US representatives" had stated that his group would play a part in the future police force in Gaza. Al-Astal, once worked with the Palestinian Authority, said that he and his group co-ordinated with Israel to bring supplies to the CSF and expressed interest to collaborate with Palestinian Authority and the United States.[11]

Administration

Main article: Counter-Terrorism Strike Force administration in the Gaza Strip

See also

References

  1. ^ "Israels støtte til rivaliserende militser svekker Hamas i Gaza". Geopolitka.no (in Norwegian). 2025-10-21. Retrieved 2025-11-28.
  2. ^ Sharawi, Ahmad; Truzman, Joe (19 October 2025). "Profiles of anti-Hamas militias in the Gaza Strip". FDD's Long War Journal. Retrieved 6 December 2025.
  3. ^ a b Yohanan, Nurit (2025-09-22). "In southern Gaza, new anti-Hamas enclave emerges under militia claiming Israeli backing". The Times of Israel. ISSN 0040-7909. Retrieved 2025-10-13.
  4. ^ a b Halabi, Einav (2025-10-12). "Gaza militia commander tells ynet: 'Hamas is weak — it's only a matter of time until it falls'". Ynetglobal. Retrieved 2025-10-13.
  5. ^ Matamis, Joaquin (2025-10-27). "Gaza's Armed Fragmentation: Clans, Militias, and Rival Power Centers • Stimson Center". Stimson Center. Retrieved 2025-11-26.
  6. ^ Truzman, Joe (2025-09-19). "New anti-Hamas militia emerges in Gaza". FDD's Long War Journal. Retrieved 2025-09-21.
  7. ^ a b "Israel-aligned Bedouin-linked factions to combat Hamas". The Jerusalem Post. 2025-09-20. Retrieved 2025-09-21.
  8. ^ Fabian, Emanuel; Yohanan, Nurit (2025-10-03). "Israeli airstrikes thwart Hamas attack on rival armed Gazan group in Strip's south". The Times of Israel. ISSN 0040-7909. Retrieved 2025-10-03.
  9. ^ "Hamas reappears on Gaza's streets, and two of three militias that fought it go quiet". The Times of Israel. 2025-10-12. ISSN 0040-7909. Retrieved 2025-10-13.
  10. ^ "Gaza militia leader claims to receive support from Israel | The Jerusalem Post". The Jerusalem Post. 2025-10-25. Retrieved 2025-10-29.
  11. ^ Williamson, Lucy (2025-11-21). "Anti-Hamas armed groups seek future role under Gaza peace plan". BBC News. Retrieved 2025-11-22.
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