Hamas Raises Alert in Gaza Amid Threat of Attacks by Local Militias
Hamas raised its alert level in Gaza amid fears of attacks by local militias cooperating with the IDF, following the capture of senior security figures.
Hamas security apparatus in the Gaza Strip has significantly raised its alert level in recent days in anticipation of potential attacks by local militias.
Security Breaches and Arrests
According to Arab sources, this heightened state of readiness follows a series of security breaches that enabled the IDF and local militias to capture senior figures within terrorist organizations, most notably Moin al-Aravid, head of internal security. Concurrently, the IDF eliminated a number of terrorists who participated in the October 7 massacre and the holding of hostages in Gaza.
Reports indicate that al-Aravid was not the only one detained. His capture was preceded by operations resulting in the arrest of other high-ranking members within the military wings of Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad across the central and southern parts of the Strip.
Allegations Regarding Nasser Hospital
Simultaneously, the Hamas internal security apparatus claimed that local militias in the Gaza Strip were planning an operation targeting Nasser Hospital in the Khan Yunis area. The terrorist organization alleged that militias cooperating with Israel in Rafah, Khan Yunis, and Deir al-Balah intended to assault the compound with Israeli intelligence and aerial support.
Hamas claimed that Israeli forces supervised militia training sessions simulating a joint attack on various compounds throughout the Gaza Strip.
According to these sources, Hamas detained several militia members whose assignment was to establish dormant cells in Khan Yunis and Deir al-Balah to participate in the operation.
Deployment and Militia Operations
Palestinian sources reported widespread apprehension within the organization regarding potential militia attacks on hospitals harboring Hamas operatives, or further arrests. Over the weekend, Hamas military wing operatives executed an unusual deployment along Rashid Street, running parallel to the coastline, and at key junctions in the central Strip, inspecting drivers' identification documents to signal heightened readiness.
Palestinian officials stated that Israel is intentionally eliminating security officials within the Hamas interior ministry who monitor armed militias, aiming to amplify militia influence and weaken Hamas's capacity to repel operations in Gaza.
Furthermore, sources noted that militias have expanded into broader areas along the eastern border of the Gaza Strip under IDF control, no longer concentrating solely on isolated pockets. Five Gazan militias cooperating with Israel are currently deployed across Rafah, Khan Yunis, the central Strip, eastern Gaza City, and the northern Strip.
Over the weekend, the head of the Rafah militia, Ghassan al-Duhaini, announced a new operation titled "Deterring Aggression 2." Surrounded by dozens of armed men, al-Duhaini stated his intention to target Hamas and its leaders in areas west of the Yellow Line still controlled by the terrorist organization. Concurrently, Al-Arabiya reported that Hamas is conducting a leadership vote in Gaza between Ali al-Amoudi and Nizar Awadallah.
