Housam al-Astal, who leads the anti-Hamas militia known as the Counterterrorism Strike Force, says his fighters carried out an overnight operation clearing tents they claim were sheltering Hamas members. He says no civilians were hurt, and that anyone detained and found to have no terror links was released, with each person given 400 shekels and two packs of cigarettes. Al-Astal says the operation is now expanding across Gaza, including al-Mawasi in Khan Younis, and he vowed his men will reach every tent and every house where Hamas members are sheltering. He also had a message for Hamas, telling the group it is finished.

The militia was formed in August 2025 by al-Astal, who is described as a former Palestinian Authority officer, and it is small, with estimates of roughly 40 to 100 fighters. It operates from Qizan an-Najjar near Khan Younis, has carved out its own enclave, and al-Astal has openly said he coordinates with Israel on aid and operations. None of his claims about the overnight operation, the detentions, or the lack of civilian harm have been independently verified, which matters because al-Mawasi is crowded with displaced families living in tents. The group has clashed with Hamas before, but it remains unclear how many people were detained, whether its claimed reach across Gaza is real, and what an armed militia sweeping through shelters would mean for civilians.