Anti-Hamas militia to Israelis: ‘Happy Jewish New Year!’

The armed group, backed by Israel, is fighting Hamas for control of Gaza.

By World Israel News Staff

An armed faction in the Gaza Strip that is positioning itself as an alternative ruling force to Hamas released a holiday message to Jewish Israelis and Jews worldwide ahead of Rosh Hashana, the Jewish New Year, which begins Monday evening.

Ghassan Al-Dahineh, deputy head of the Abu Shabab militant group, posted a Facebook message in Arabic offering holiday greetings to Israelis and the Jewish Diaspora.

“On the occasion of the Jewish New Year (Rosh Hashana), I extend my sincere best wishes to our Arab Jewish brethren in particular,” Al-Dahineh wrote, apparently referring to Sephardic and Mizrahi Jews whose families lived in Islamic countries across the Middle East and North Africa for centuries.

He continued by wishing a happy new year “to the Jewish people in general and to all those celebrating this holiday around the world.”

The militant leader added that “we ask God that this new year be a year of peace, love, health, and prosperity for all, and that it be the beginning of goodness and renewed hope in the hearts of people wherever they may be.”

Al-Dahineh also posted the phrase “Happy and sweet New Year” in both Hebrew and Arabic, alongside a picture of a neatly handwritten note in Hebrew reading: “Happy New Year to all the Jewish people in the world,” signed with his name.

The Abu Shabab group, which opposes Hamas, reportedly receives material support from Israel, including weapons. The organization has told media that it is both a military and a civilian protection force.

Its leader, Yasser Abu Shabab, told Israel’s Walla news outlet that the group’s goal is to provide “civilian protection, humanitarian aid distribution, and securing areas that will not fall victim to terror or local extremism.”

Abu Shabab added that the group “will protect civilians, create international pressure, and push for an end to the violence that no one wants to escalate.”