Palestinian sources reported Sunday that the IDF recently established a new militia in the al-Baduya area of northern Gaza and assigned it security-related tasks, primarily focused on gathering intelligence on the ground.
According to sources in Palestinian terrorist organizations, the militia is also maintaining contacts with Palestinian Authority security officials in Ramallah. At the helm is Baha Balousha, an officer in the PA's security apparatus. The sources said the militia's role is to ease operations for IDF ground forces and provide commanders with vital intelligence.
Hamas-affiliated media reported that members of the militia have received warnings from local clans urging them to stop cooperating with Israel. The messages reportedly promised amnesty to anyone who ceases such collaboration. Terrorist groups claimed the force is not large, fewer than 10 individuals, and alleged that Hamas is in possession of their names and evidence they were receiving orders from IDF officers in the field.
Furthermore, Hamas-linked sources threatened that the operatives would be "dealt with" by terrorist groups due to their work with the Israeli military. Hamas-affiliated media later reported that the IDF is seeking to establish additional militias to conduct field scans ahead of its forces' entry. These reports described the plan as mirroring the "Popular Committees" model led by Abu Shabab, a militia of several hundred armed men operating in eastern Rafah under Israeli backing.
Baha Balousha, the PA intelligence officer, has repeatedly been mentioned in Arab media in recent months. Palestinian sources say he hails from a well-known family in Gaza. He has stood out in the General Intelligence Service, which is headed by Majed Faraj, a close confidant of Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas.
Balousha has reportedly held several sensitive positions within the agency and carried out "covert missions" related to Gaza and Palestinian organizations. He is also said to be closely tied to the PA leadership and serves as a key figure in managing border crossings, message exchanges with Israel, and financial matters. Additional reports indicate he is also involved in communications between Ramallah and Abu Shabab's group in southern Gaza.
