Hamas Fighter Granted Asylum in UK After Illegal Entry

A 34-year-old migrant from Gaza, identified as Mosab Abdulkarim al-Gassas, also known as Hamas fighter Abu Wadee, has reportedly been granted residency in the United Kingdom after entering the country illegally by boat across the English Channel. Al-Gassas served nine months in prison for illegal entry before receiving his residency permit. His social media accounts reportedly contain calls for violence against Jews. A journalist from the Northamptonshire Telegraph discovered him in the town of Corby and confronted him about his past. Al-Gassas claimed he was forced by Hamas to act against Jews, stating, "Everyone knows that Hamas is a terrorist organization that would kill us if we did not stand against the Jews." He also asserted he now has Jewish friends.

These statements contrast with his ongoing social media activity, including on TikTok where he has approximately 20,000 followers. Posts from Corby show him holding a rifle and engaging in clashes with IDF soldiers. A video from September 2024, before his arrival in the UK, included a prayer calling for the death of Jews and their supporters. Al-Gassas reportedly lives in an apartment with three other migrants and communicates using an online translator due to his lack of English proficiency.

The discovery of Al-Gassas in Corby has sparked significant criticism from local officials and political figures. Members of Parliament have deemed the situation "unacceptable" and demanded his deportation. Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp called it a "mockery of taxpayers" who fund Al-Gassas's weekly welfare payment of £49.18. A senior Conservative Party representative suggested he should return to Gaza, stating, "Given that he supports Hamas and Hamas-run Gaza, I see no reason why he cannot go back there." A spokesperson for the Campaign Against Antisemitism questioned the logic of imprisoning someone for illegal entry only to release them afterward.