According to these sources, Alastal commands a group of armed men loyal to him, who benefit from Israeli-sponsored armament and carry out its orders, allegedly just like Yasser Abu Shabab – who is in contact with Alastal.

This article is in continuation of our previous article

A social media account presenting itself as “Hassam Alastal” publishes a phone number for Gazans who want to join him and enjoy better living conditions.

I will qualify and say that it is still too early to determine how significant his militia is, or if it even exists beyond the virtual sphere, but it can certainly be said that the phenomenon is troubling to those identified with Hamas on social media, if only because it constitutes a challenge to Hamas rule in Khan Yunis – something that could lead to a drift that Hamas will certainly be interested in stopping.