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Counter-Terrorism Strike Force
Palestinian militant organization From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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The Counter-Terrorism Strike Force (CSF) also known as the Strike Force Against Terror[1] 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.
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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.[2][3]
History
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The neoconservative Foundation for Defense of Democracies said that the CSF is supported by Israel's Shin Bet and the Israel Defense Forces.[4] According to the Jerusalem Post the CSF and the Popular Forces are reportedly in contact with one another but work independently.[5]
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.[5] Before founding the CSF, Ynet reported that al-Astal was a member of the Popular Forces.[6]
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.[7] It marked the first time the group battled Hamas.[8]
In October 2025, the CSF reached an agreement with the Israeli Defense Forces to establish a "Green Line" where no fighting would take place.[9]
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.[10]
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