The Palestinian said he crossed the Yellow Line at night to avoid detection by Hamas and create a sense of security in Israeli-controlled territory.
Hossam al-Astalleader of the Counter-Terrorism Strike Force militia, confirmed his group had spoken to the US about its role in the future of the Gaza Strip, BBC News reported on Friday.
Based south of Khan Yunis. Astal provided few details about whether its militias were working alongside Israel.
“Let’s just say now is not the time for me to answer this question,” Astal responded when asked whether Israel supplies him. “But we are coordinating with the Israeli side to deliver food, weapons and everything else.”
The BBC estimates that the former Palestinian Authority official oversees dozens of militants. Despite the small size of the group, BBC Middle East correspondent Lucy Williamson noted that his tent was well stocked.
“People all over the world are supporting us,” he shared when asked how he was able to access his supplies. “Not everything comes from Israel. They claim that Israel is the only one who supports us and that we are agents of Israel. We are not agents of Israel.”
View of Gaza City at dawn during the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, November 19, 2025. (Photo: REUTERS/DAWOOD ABU ALKAS)
Even though the militias were not working for Israel, they opened a new area within the Israeli-controlled Yellow Line. Astal said dozens of families had recently moved to the new location and more were expected to join them soon.
The Palestinian Authority refuses to cooperate with groups opposed to Hamas
“We are the next day for a new Gaza“- said Astal. “We have no problems with cooperation with the Palestinian Authority, with the Americans, with everyone who supports us. We are an alternative to Hamas.”
West Bank leadership security spokesman Major General Anwar Rajab, while eager to work with the PA, insisted that militia groups could not be absorbed into its forces.
“Israel may require the integration of these militias due to its own specific political and security considerations,” he said from the West Bank city of Ramallah. “But Israeli demands do not necessarily benefit the Palestinians. “Israel wants to continue to establish its control in the Gaza Strip one way or another.”
Palestinian families sneak past Hamas and live behind the Israeli-controlled Yellow Line
Montaser Massoud, 32, was among those who crossed the yellow line and began living in Israeli-controlled territory. After coordinating with the IDF, he crossed the border at night to avoid detection by Hamas, along with his wife and four children.
Although Masood told the BBC he felt safer, relatives criticized his decision to cross the line.
“They harassed us, saying we were doing it wrong and that we had no future,” he said. “I tell them that they are the ones we are worried about because they live outside the Yellow Line and anyone from Hamas could hide next to them and they could get bombed.”
Although his interview was interrupted by the sound of gunfire, Masood told the BBC: “This [Israeli] the army is nearby, but this is not a problem because we know that we are not a target.”
