A Palestinian man described crossing the Yellow Line at night to avoid Hamas detection and feelings of security in the Israel-controlled territory.

Hossam al-Astal, leader of the Counter-Terrorism Strike Force militia, confirmed that his group had spoken with the US about having a role in the future of the Gaza Strip, BBC News reported on Friday.

Based south of Khan Yunis, Astal provided little detail on whether his militia was working alongside Israel.

"Let's say it's not the right time for me to answer this question," Astal answered when asked if Israel was supplying him. "But we coordinate with the Israeli side to bring in food, weapons, everything."

The former Palestinian Authority official oversees tens of fighters, according to estimates by the BBC. Despite the group’s small size, BBC Middle East correspondent Lucy Williamson noted that his tent was well-stocked.

"People all over the world are supporting us," he shared when asked how he was able to access his supplies. "It's not all from Israel. They claim Israel is the only one supporting us and that we are agents of Israel. We are not Israel's agents."

Despite not working for Israel, the militia opened a new site within the Israel-controlled Yellow Line. Astal claimed tens of families had recently relocated to the new site, and more were anticipated to soon join.

Palestinian Authority refuses to work with anti-Hamas militia groups

"We are the next day for the new Gaza," Astal claimed. "We have no problem cooperating with the Palestinian Authority, with the Americans, with anyone who aligns with us. We are the alternative to Hamas."

While willing to work with the PA, the West Bank leadership’s security force spokesperson Maj-Gen Anwar Rajab insisted that the militia groups could not be absorbed into its force.

"Israel might demand the integration of these militia, due to Israel's own specific political and security considerations," he said from the West Bank city of Ramallah. "But Israel's demands don't necessarily benefit the Palestinians. Israel wants to continue imposing its control in one way or another in the Gaza Strip."

Palestinian families sneak past Hamas to live behind Israel-controlled Yellow Line

Montaser Masoud, 32, was among those to cross the Yellow Line and begin living in the Israel-controlled territory. After coordinating with the IDF, he crossed at night to avoid Hamas detection along with his wife and four children.

Despite telling the BBC he felt more secure, Masoud said relatives had been critical of his decision to move past the line.

"They've been harassing us, saying what we're doing it wrong and has no future," he said. "I tell them that they're the ones we worry about, because they live outside the Yellow Line and anyone from Hamas could hide next to them, and they could be bombed."

While his interview was disrupted by the sound of gunfire, Masoud told the BBC, "It's the [Israeli] army nearby but it's not a problem because we know we're not the target."