Anti-Hamas militia leader backs former British PM Blair for post-war Gaza role

Hossam al-Astal, a Gazan militia leader opposed to Hamas, announced that he backs the former British Prime Minister Tony Blair in a “Gaza after Hamas.” 

Astal’s militia says it has been able to “liberate an area from Hamas occupation” and succeeded in establishing a “safe city” area in parts of the Gazan city of Khan Yunis. Astal’s men have reportedly created a refuge for some 200 people in a one square mile area that is “free of Hamas.” The Israeli military has so far not confirmed the claims of the opposition militia. 

“We’re using mainly handguns and AK-47s taken from Hamas,” Astal told The Telegraph. 

“I can’t say how many fighters we have. Right now, that’s very sensitive – we’re in a war,” he added.

The opposition militia leader also revealed that he is prepared to cooperate with Blair in forming a security force in a post-Hamas Gaza Strip. 

“Tony Blair is a decent politician,” Astal said in the interview with The Telegraph. “I think his help can be useful, especially if it’s coming with an international agreement or mandate. We are ready to cooperate with anyone who will bring help to our people in Gaza."

Blair served as special envoy to the Middle East on behalf of the Quartet immediately after he resigned as UK prime minister in 2007 until 2015. Established in 2002 for the sole purpose of mediating the Israeli–Palestinian peace process, the Quartet consists of the United Nations, the United States, the European Union, and Russia.

In contrast, Hamas and its allies from Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) and the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP) jointly stated on Friday that they oppose “foreign guardianship” over the Gaza Strip after the war. All three terror groups stressed that governing the coastal enclave is a “purely internal Palestinian matter.”

The Telegraph article noted that this might be “jumping the gun” since the current American-brokered agreement only focuses on a partial Israeli military withdrawal in exchange for the return of all remaining 48 hostages held by Hamas. 

While U.S. President Donald Trump has announced that the Gaza war has ended, the opposition militia vowed to continue fighting against Hamas. 

“We will not stop fighting Hamas,” Astal said. “We have martyrs – Hamas has our blood on its hands. Even if Israel signs a treaty and stops the war with Hamas, we will not stop."

“I am in touch with tens of former PA officers around Gaza, and we are all ready and waiting for zero hour, the moment when we are all going to liberate the Gaza Strip from Hamas,” Astal concluded. 

Hamas has been ruling Gaza with an iron fist for nearly two decades. However, as a severely weakened Hamas has lost control in much of the Gaza Strip, there is a growing local opposition against Hamas’ ruthless regime. 

In July, Gazan anti-Hamas militia leader Yasser Abu Shabab, claimed that he and his group represent the majority of the population in Gaza. 

"We will be what our people want us to be. We will not impose any political system on their will," Shabab claimed without elaborating. 

Hamas openly calls for Israel’s destruction and the murder of all Jews. In contrast, Shabab argued that his group does not oppose Israel and merely seeks to secure a stable Gaza. 

"Our weapons are for the protection of our people from anarchy within the Gaza Strip, from oppression, corruption, and from those who exploit Gaza's population under the guise of resistance or religion," he said. 

"Our weapons are not intended for anyone outside our borders," the opposition militia leader added.