Free Homeland Forces
The Free Homeland Forces, also known as the Popular Army in Rafah is an anti-Hamas Palestinian militant group led by Shawqi Abu Nasira, a former Palestinian Authority officer. His group reportedly operates as part of the Popular Forces and is composed of around 30 fighters. 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. 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. Abu Nasira's son was reportedly killed during the Gaza war by Hamas for criticizing Hamas, which led to him opposing Hamas.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.Operations
While the existence of the group was only revealed in late November 2025, it had reportedly already been active for several months.The FHF/PAR reportedly operates as part of the Popular Forces and is composed of around 30 fighters.
On December 25, Shawqi Abu Nasira accused Hamas of raiding his home, abducting his wife and stealing money, a gas canister and solar panels. Hamas's Arrow Unit later announced they had detained his son and wife.
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.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".
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.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.
The Sahm unit/Arrow unit claimed that Abu Nasira’s family members had 700,000 Israeli shekels in their possession.