Local sources reported that an armed group collaborating with the occupation forces infiltrated Jabalia refugee camp on Thursday under aerial cover, but was forced to retreat inside the so-called “Yellow Line” after facing resistance from both the Palestinian resistance and residents.
According to the sources, the armed group is affiliated with Ashraf al Manasi, who leads what is known as the “Popular Army”, a formation that cooperates with occupation forces. The group, consisting of approximately 50 gunmen travelling in around 10 Four Wheel Drive vehicles, infiltrated on Thursday evening from areas under occupation control within the Yellow Line and advanced westward towards the Jabalia Camp Police Station. The incursion was carried out under direct cover from an armed quadcopter drone operated by occupation forces.
The force soon withdrew to occupation controlled areas inside the Yellow Line after resistance fighters engaged them with light weapons and residents confronted them on the ground.
Sources indicated that this infiltration, the first of its kind in Jabalia camp, revealed an unprecedented level of popular rejection of armed militias operating under the occupation’s umbrella. Worshippers from a nearby mosque reportedly confronted members of the collaborating group with sticks and stones, forcing them to withdraw from the area, amid simultaneous pressure from resistance fighters.
The militia had previously attempted to win over residents by distributing limited food parcels in areas under its control in Beit Lahia and the Azbat Beit Hanoun area. These attempts failed and were met with widespread rejection, despite the suffocating crisis faced by residents as a result of the ongoing war of extermination and the comprehensive siege imposed on Gaza.
A network of armed militias is spread across the Gaza Strip from north to south, operating freely behind the Yellow Line, an area controlled by the occupation army under the ceasefire agreement in force since 11 October 2025.
The group that attempted to enter Jabalia camp is led by Ashraf al Manasi and is known as the “Popular Army”. It is active in Beit Lahia and Beit Hanoun and recently established a site in the Azba area, where it carries out security tasks under direct assignment from occupation forces.
Recently published video footage showed convoys carrying fuel, water and supplies crossing from areas under occupation control towards al Manasi’s headquarters in Beit Lahia, reinforcing confirmation of the relationship between these groups and the occupation.
