Hamas’ internal security mechanism confirmed on Monday the killing of Mahmoud al-Astal (Abu Khaled), head of the terror group’s investigations unit in Khan Younis. According to Palestinian reports, he was shot in the al-Mawasi area.
Hamas claimed that Abu Khaled was eliminated by “gangs and collaborators” linked to Hussam al-Astal, the head of a Palestinian clan in Khan Younis that openly opposes Hamas. The terror organization further alleged that the killing was carried out as part of “the implementation of Shin Bet instructions.”
On the Hamas-affiliated platform “Al-Hares,” which is identified with the group’s internal security apparatus, officials expressed outrage, stating: “This criminal behavior comes as part of desperate attempts to undermine the internal front and spread chaos in the Gaza Strip.”
Following the incident, Hamas’ internal security mechanism threatened retaliation, declaring that those responsible for the killing “will not escape punishment.”