Gaza militia commander says Hamas should fear him

When asked directly whether he worries Hamas might target him next, al-Astal replied, “I am not afraid. Hamas needs to be afraid of me.”

By World Israel News Staff

Hussam al-Astal, the commander of the anti-Hamas militia operating in Khan Younis, told Israel’s N12 on Sunday that he has no fear of being targeted following the death of Yasser Abu Shabab.

Abu Shabab, who founded the so-called “Popular Forces,” died last week after a violent internal clash in Gaza. Initial rumors claimed he had been shot, but Israeli security officials later confirmed he died from severe beatings inflicted during a brawl with members of his own faction. The dispute reportedly erupted because of Abu Shabab’s cooperation with Israel, which has deepened rifts inside Gaza’s armed groups.

Speaking openly from territory Hamas claims to control, al-Astal said he continues to move freely without intimidation.

“I spoke with Rasan al-Dahini, who replaces Yasser Abu Shabab after what happened, and maybe today I will go to them in Rafah – it is not far from me,” al-Astal said. “Hamas threatens that its hand will reach everywhere and also to Hussam, but they will not. I am really not afraid. If I were afraid, I would not be like this.”

When asked directly whether he worries Hamas might target him next, al-Astal replied, “I am not afraid. Hamas needs to be afraid of me, not me.”

Al-Astal was also asked whether he relies on protection provided by Israel, which has been pressuring Hamas from above and supporting local factions resisting the terror group’s rule.

“I have strength, and they know I have strength, and they do not come near me. I am in Khan Younis at point zero from Hamas. Many times I left the yellow-line area, I left several times and nothing happened. They know I left. I have strength.”

Pressed on the size of his force, he declined to provide numbers. “I cannot tell you. God willing, one day you will come to us and you will see how many people. We have people, and we have strength. Every day we have new people, and many people from inside Gaza need to come to us. But when people come to us, on the way Hamas puts up checkpoints.”

Al-Astal described his militia as a rising alternative for Gaza’s future.

“God willing, at the beginning of the new year they will see that we have strength and we remain here. People in Gaza need to know that we are staying. We are the new Gaza that needs to grow. Anyone who wants to live in peace should come to us. After two years of war, there is nothing in Gaza.”

Asked about plans for an international security presence now being considered for Gaza, al-Astal said they intend to be part of any new governing structure that replaces Hamas.

“Yes, we are here, and we have strength. We remain, and nothing will happen inside Gaza except this and from us. Hamas needs to be replaced after 18 years.”

Al-Astal’s comments reflect growing confidence among local factions willing to challenge Hamas after months of Israeli military pressure that have severely weakened the terror group’s grip on the Strip. His remarks also reinforce Israeli assessments that internal opposition to Hamas is deepening and that cooperation with Israel, once taboo, is now fueling a new political and security dynamic inside Gaza.