Hamas is urging Palestinians in the Gaza Strip to target leaders of armed militias it describes as Israeli-backed collaborators, as part of an ongoing effort to consolidate control and weaken opposition groups within the territory.
The group’s Rada Force, a special security unit tasked with addressing internal threats and suspected collaborators with Israel, issued a statement calling for the elimination of senior members of what it termed "collaborator gangs." The Rada Force said this course of action would be a "salvation" for both the militants themselves and the Palestinian community.
On Thursday, the force announced the apprehension of a Palestinian linked to senior militia figures, seizing weapons and money during the operation. The Rada Force lauded the public’s cooperation in reporting suspicious activity and called on Gaza residents to continue assisting in identifying those affiliated with these groups.
This call comes amid Hamas’s efforts to dismantle anti-Hamas militias in Gaza as part of a roadmap toward the second phase of the ceasefire agreement. Under the terms of the deal, Hamas has agreed to transfer its heavy weapons to a Palestinian technocratic committee, a transitional governing body expected to manage Gaza’s post-war administration. The agreement also includes the dissolution of armed militias opposing Hamas and excludes their members from integration into the local security and police forces.
Despite this, sources inside Gaza indicate that Hamas remains wary of the continued presence of these militias, viewing them as a threat to its authority. One local source said, "Despite the militias not having public popularity, Hamas still sees them as a threat to its rule." Another Gaza resident noted that Hamas’s rhetoric aims to isolate militia leaders and diminish their public support by portraying them negatively and encouraging defections with promises of clemency.
The Rada Force said it is offering pardons to collaborators willing to repent and reintegrate into Gaza’s society, describing the current moment as a "golden opportunity" to eradicate what it called a "black mark" on the Palestinian struggle. The force emphasized continuing efforts to support families seeking to recover relatives who joined the militias but now wish to abandon them.
According to a Rada representative, cases involving 17 individuals connected to collaborator militias have been recently addressed, emphasizing Hamas’s position that these groups lack legitimacy or lasting power. "The occupation will not protect them, and the coming days will prove it," the official stated, reiterating calls for militia members to return to society.
Tensions between Hamas and these armed groups have remained high since the October 7 attack that triggered the conflict now known as the Israel-Hamas War. These militias, backed by Israel, were established to oppose Hamas’s rule in Gaza. Hamas has consistently sought to delegitimize and confront them, resulting in frequent clashes on the ground.
Meanwhile, a key militia leader in Gaza expressed skepticism over Hamas’s claim of disarmament, telling reporters that he doubts the agreement to store weapons will be honored and predicting the deal "will not happen." The divergent stances highlight the fragile and volatile security situation in Gaza as both sides contend for power amid ongoing conflict.