In an earlier interview I conducted with anti-Hamas armed group leader Hussam al-Astl, the latter noted a number of anti-Hamas groups operating in various parts of Gaza under Israeli control, including one led by Shauqi Abu Nusayra in the central region of Gaza. This group is known as ‘Quwat al-Watan al-Hurr’ (‘Free Homeland Forces’).
To learn more about Quwat al-Watan al-Hurr, its relationship with Israel, its opposition to Hamas and its vision for Gaza and the Palestinians, I conducted an interview with a source from the group.
Q: When was Quwat al-Watan al-Hurr established and in what region of Gazawas it established? What are your main aims?
A: It was established on 1 September 2025, in the central region in Dayr al-Balah. Our aims are to remove oppression from the hurt people of Gaza and combat Hamas terrorism. The main aim is to destroy Hamas. We don’t want masked men ruling us.
Q: Is Quwat al-Watan al-Hurr affiliated with any party? For example the Counter-Terrorism Apparatus led by Ghassan Duhine or the Popular Army led by Ashraf Mansi? Or is it a formation independent of the other formations opposing Hamas?
A: We agree with them in opinion and outlook and the aim is one, but we don’t have a humanitarian zone. We are an army camp led by the brigadier general Shauqi Abu Nusayra. We aren’t affiliated with any faction. We are the people, we are the force of the oppressed people.
Q: Some may say the priority should be uniting ranks and expelling Israel from Gaza as they accuse Israel of committing genocide in Gaza. In your view did Israel commit a genocide and if so why should the main aim be destroying Hamas?
A: We work with Israel for the sake of peace and removing oppression from the people. There is no genocide. There is wiping out the dens of terrorism. Israel is the state most interested in peace. It has fought not to destroy the Palestinian cause or destroy the Palestinian people, but rather it is clearly fighting to destroy Hamas.
Q: So Israel provides you financial support and weapons to combat Hamas?
We work with Israel for the sake of peace and removing oppression from the people. There is no genocide. There is wiping out the dens of terrorism. Israel is the state most interested in peace.
A: Yes. Before providing us financial support and support with weapons, Israel provides us with food, provides us with places where we, our people and our children can live, and provides us with a dignified live. Israel also provides us weapons to defend ourselves from the Hamas terrorism that has harmed us and our youth.
Q: Some may say Israel has harmed the people of Gaza through intense bombardment and destruction of infrastructure. What’s your response to that?
A: It’s true, Israel has destroyed the infrastructure because it is a den for Hamas terrorism, because Hamas uses the infrastructure for its own interests, and altered the purpose of the infrastructure. They hoarded wealth that would enable the entire people to live with absolute freedom. They stored this wealth in the infrastructure that served their personal and own interests. With this wealth, Gaza could have lived in peace and security for life, but regrettably, we are human shields and the people are hostages to Hamas’ oppression.
Q: Does Quwat al-Watan al-Hurr support the two-state solution?
A: Of course. We work to achieve this with all earnestness. The cities of Gazaand al-Quds will be the cities of peace.
Q: Do you have relations for example with the Palestinian Authority? And were the members of Quwat al-Watan al-Hurr affiliated for example with the Fatah Movement and the Palestinian Authority?
We want to move the civilian inhabitants of Gaza to the east behind the yellow line, and then we will destroy Hamas with all force.
A: With regards to this question, pardon me. We are the people, and we are all one blood, people, and unity. We don’t distinguish among ourselves, regardless of faction. It is the terrorists who do not belong to us, and we do not belong to them.
Q: Some may say Israel isn’t interested in peace because it’s building settlements in the West Bank and extremist settlers are attacking Palestinians with the support of the Israeli army. What’s your response to that?
A: This is not true. Israel is a people of peace and conciliation, and wages war on terrorism in every place. And there are terrorist elements in the West Bank that have to be eliminated, so that the situation does not end up being like what happened to us on 7 October.
Q: Currently there is a ceasefire in Gaza with Hamas remaining in power. How can you destroy Hamas in these circumstances?
A: We will wage war on them with all power we have. They are weak and cannot fight us. But we want to move the civilian inhabitants of Gaza to the east behind the yellow line, and then we will destroy Hamas with all force.
Q: Of course Israel insists on recognition of its identity as a Jewish sate. Do you acknowledge Israel as a Jewish state?
A: Yes. We have no problem with the state of Israel. We and Israel are one people. We want peace for all the countries of the world.
Q: Finally what’s your message to the international community?
A: We ask the international community to stand with us, provide a dignified life to the defenseless peace of Gaza, allow them to live in peace and dignity, and repair what remains of dignified Gaza’s roots.
Published originally on February 8, 2026.
