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'Will of God': Underworld figure Bassam Hamzy upset at brother's death

Notorious gangland identity Bassam Hamzy is said to be upset at the targeted killing of his brother Mejid although accepts it as part of God's plan.

Bassam Hamzy, now in Goulburn jail's supermax section, serving time for a range of offences including murder, has been informed of his brother's death, which came soon after the death of their father Khaled from natural causes.

Brothers for Life gang leader Bassam Hamzy (main and inset) whose brother Mejid Hamzy was shot dead on Monday.Credit:NSW Police

Bassam Hamzy, who founded the Brothers for Life gang from his prison cell over a decade ago, is fighting new charges of directing the activities of a criminal group, supplying a prohibited drug and dealing in the proceeds of crime.

His lawyer, Mohammad Khan, spoke about his client's state of mind following a brief court appearance in the matter on Wednesday.

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"He is upset because he lost his father and brother in the same year," Mr Khan said.

"He accepts it as the will of God."

Mejid Hamzy has been killed in what police say was a targeted and planned shooting.Credit:Nine News

Bassam Hamzy is a devout Muslim and has previously been associated with a ring of hardline converts in the prison system.

He has been in custody since March 1999 for a string of crimes including drug supply, murder and conspiracy to murder. He will not be eligible for parole for at least another 15 years.

The shooting of his lesser-known brother Mejid, 44, on Monday has triggered fears of reprisals by his family and associates against any suspected killers.

Specialist police have swarmed south-west Sydney as they investigate the shooting, seeking to avert an outbreak of violence.

Senior NSW Police officers warned the possibility of retaliation was a significant concern and said they would be targeting the known associates of Mejid Hamzy to prevent them from going after suspected killers.

"We will be targeting associates and known offenders," Assistant Commissioner Peter Thurtell, South West Metropolitan Region Commander, said.

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"They can expect us to be in their face. They know we will be knocking on their door."

Assistant Commissioner Thurtell said the public order riot squad, south-west Sydney operational support group, dog unit, PolAir and other units were involved in the sweeping operation.

Mejid Hamzy has been linked to the 2016 death of Hamad Assaad, who was linked to the 2013 shooting of Hamzy's aunt, Maha Hamze, who survived.

Police are examining whether the Assaad killing is relevant to the death of Mejid Hamzy as well as any relationship with recent public shootings in south-west Sydney.

In a separate incident on the weekend, shots were fired on the Auburn street where Hamzy's aunt lives.

"The victim [Hamzy] is well known to the police and his activities in recent times will be certainly subject to our inquiries," Detective Chief Superintendent Darren Bennett, State Crime Command Director, said.

Mejid Hamzy was shot multiple times in his driveway before running a short distance to an associate's house around the corner, where he died from his wounds. According to witnesses, two men fled in a getaway car.

The killing appears to have been planned and police are investigating whether the killers were hired to carry out the hit.

"That certainly could be the case," Chief Superintendent Bennett said.

Family friends outside his home on Monday said he was a "beautiful family man" and not that close to his sibling.

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