Newly shared footage from northern Gaza shows around two dozen armed men gathering and marching in a paved outdoor area while chanting "Death to Hamas." Filmed from a high angle, the video shows many of them in black tactical gear, helmets and rifles, in what looks like a deliberate show of force. The men are linked to the Popular Forces militia of Ashraf al-Mansi, a group also known as the Popular Army – Northern Forces. It is reported to have only around 40 fighters and to operate from a base in Beit Hanoun, and it claims control over pockets of areas such as Jabalia and Beit Lahia. Footage like this appears designed to tell Hamas and ordinary Gazans that the group intends to stay.

The militia is one of several armed Palestinian groups that oppose Hamas in Gaza, and many of them are reported to be backed and armed by Israel. Israeli officials have acknowledged sending weapons to some of these groups as part of a wider effort to build anti-Hamas forces. Many such groups have posted videos of marches and patrols to project strength. But analysts quoted by Israeli media say these militias have made little real headway against Hamas, and critics inside Gaza condemn them over their ties to Israel. The video shows a show of force, not a change in who controls northern Gaza, so the open question is how much influence a force this small can really gain.