Issam Nabahin
Palestinian anti-Hamas militant
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Issam Nabahin[b] is a Palestinian militant who is a senior commander[1] in the Popular Forces, an anti-Hamas militia in the Gaza Strip formerly led by Yasser Abu Shabab and as of 5 December 2025 led by Ghassan Duhine.
Popular Forces administration
Islamic State: mid-2010s – ?[a] Popular Forces: 2024 – presentIssam Nabahin | |
|---|---|
| Native name | عصام نباهين |
| Born | |
| Allegiance | Popular Forces administration |
| Service years | Islamic State: mid-2010s – ?[a] Popular Forces: 2024 – present |
| Conflicts | |
| Criminal information | |
| Criminal status | Fugitive |
| Criminal penalty | Death (2023) |
Wanted by | Hamas |
| Escaped | 7 October 2023 (first escape), 11 June 2025 (second escape) |
Date apprehended | 2023 (first arrest), 9 June 2025 (second arrest) |
Early life
Nabahin is from the Nuseirat refugee camp in central Gaza.[2]
Activity in and involvement with the Islamic State
He joined the Sinai Province branch of the Islamic State (IS) in the mid-2010s, and was reportedly involved in the Sinai insurgency and the killing of civilians.[3][2] In 2015, Hamas identified Nabahin as an IS militant and a suspect in a bombing of Hamas vehicles. In 2016, Egyptian intelligence also identified him as an IS militant.[1] Nabahin evaded capture from both Hamas and Egypt.[3]
Return to Gaza, first arrest, and escape
In 2023, Nabahin returned to Gaza and was documented launching rockets at Israel independently from Hamas. He was sentenced to death by Hamas but managed to escape prison on 7 October, the day the Gaza war began.[2]
Role in the Popular Forces
Hassan Abu Shabab, a Popular Forces commander and relative of Yasser Abu Shabab, says that Nabahin "broke from terrorism" and joined the Popular Forces when the group was formed in May 2024.[1] By June 2025, when Israeli support for the group was first revealed, Nabahin was identified as one of the "key figures in Abu Shabab's inner circle".[3]
Second arrest and escape
On 9 June 2025, Hamas forces ambushed a car transporting Nabahin, capturing him. After his capture, Hamas charged him with espionage and murder.[4][5] Two days later, per Hamas-linked media, an Israeli drone bombed Nabahin's detention cell and his fate was reported to be "unclear". Then, on 18 June, he posted a video on Facebook confirming he was alive and heading to southern Gaza. By August, Nabahin was back in Popular Forces-controlled eastern Rafah.[1]