| Popular Army – Northern Forces | |
|---|---|
| الجيش الشعبي – القوات الشمال | |
 | |
| Also known as | People's Army – Northern Forces |
| Leader | Ashraf al-Mansi |
| Dates of operation | 2025 – present |
| Country |  Palestine |
| Allegiance | Popular Forces administration |
| Ideology | Anti-Hamas Islamism (alleged) |
| Size | ~40 |
| Part of | Popular Forces |
| Allies |  Israel |
| Opponents | |
| Wars | |
| Flag |  |
|
Foreign relations |
ThePopular Army – Northern Forces (PANF)[1][2][3] orPeople's Army – Northern Forces[4] is anIsraeli-backedanti-HamasPalestinian militant group in the northernGaza Strip that operates as part of thePopular Forces.[1][5] It is led by Ashraf Al-Mansi.
During theGaza war, societal breakdown across theGaza Strip caused by offensives by theIsrael Defense Forces onPalestinian law enforcement institutions as well as starvation, famine, and lack of supplies created by the conflict has led to the rise of anti-Hamas armed groups in the Gaza Strip.[6][7]
The group's leader, Ashraf al-Mansi, had a criminal background before he officially founded the Popular/People's Army–Northern Forces.[8]
In October, the PANF held a military parade following the ceasefire on 10 October in northern Gaza.[9] That same month, the PANF, its parent organization (thePopular Forces), and 2 otheranti-Hamas militants reportedly thanked Donald Trump for theGaza peace plan and ceasefire.[10]
After the 10 October ceasefire, Hamas allegedly redeployed members in Jabalia and the refugee camp, where they supposedly launched a crackdown on PANF, allegedly arresting and killing its members.[11] However, this was denied by PANF in a video released on 14 October.[12]
On 14 October 2025, Ashraf Al-Mansi, the group's leader, released a video where he denied the alleged Hamas crackdown. Al-Mansi also proclaimed that PANF controls several areas in northern Gaza, and warned Hamas from entering their territory.[12] Its flag featuring the logo of PANF, is displayed on its vehicles and facilities within its territory.[13]
The militia is led by theGaza City residentAshraf al-Mansi and is made up of around 40 fighters.[14] Unlike the self-proclaimed "un-ideological" parent organization the Popular Forces,[15] some sources have accused the PANF of being Islamist.[16][17] One prominent PANF lieutenant, Abu Anas Zeidan, is a formerSalafi jihadist who was part of the Islamic State before joining al-Mansi's group.[18]
