Report: Secret Move to Appoint "Samir Halila" as Governor of Gaza

Translation by SadaNews: The Hebrew newspaper "Yediot Ahronot" revealed in a report translated by "SadaNews" that secret moves have taken place in recent months to install a new governor for the Gaza Strip, as part of an international plan known as "the day after the war". According to the report, the candidate for this position is the prominent Palestinian businessman Samir Halila, who has a long record of high-ranking positions in the Palestinian Authority and extensive commercial and political connections.

 

According to the report: "Documents submitted to the U.S. Department of Justice and talks conducted by the "Shomrim" organization indicate that this initiative aims to appoint an internationally acceptable Palestinian figure, working under the umbrella of the Arab League, and enjoys the approval of Israel and the United States".

 

It continued: "The initiative is led by Ari Ben Menashe, a controversial figure, an Israeli and a former lobbyist, currently working from Canada. Ben Menashe, who has previously been involved in international cases such as "Iran-Contra", and claims to have worked for Mossad, has registered himself as a lobbyist for Halila in the United States, aiming to influence American decision-makers to support Halila's nomination as governor of Gaza, and has discussed the initiative with officials in Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and Egypt, according to official documents".

 

Yediot Ahronot's report, as translated by SadaNews, states: "Samir Halila, residing in Ramallah, is a Palestinian economic and political expert, who served as the Secretary-General of the Palestinian government in 2005, later taking on the position of Deputy Minister of Economy and Trade. He also chaired the board of directors of the Palestinian Economic Policy Research Institute and was a member of the board of the Palestinian Trade Center, the CEO of the PADICO Holding Company, and the chairman of the Palestine Stock Exchange. Halila is considered close to businessman Bashar Al-Masri, owner of the "Rawabi" city project, known for his close ties with the Trump administration".

 

Yediot Ahronot reported: "This move was launched last year, at the end of Joe Biden's term as President of the United States, but it did not gain momentum until Donald Trump came to the White House. Additional documents submitted to the U.S. Department of Justice last week indicate that Ben Menashe discussed the issue with officials in Qatar, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and Egypt, among others".

 

Yediot stated: "In a conversation with Ben Menashe, he said that promoting this plan is not just for business interests but carries personal significance for him, describing it as 'in favor of the Jews'. He explained that the campaign is conducted in coordination with prominent figures in the U.S. administration, with the aim of enabling Halila to operate under the Arab League's umbrella, focusing on the support of Egypt and Saudi Arabia. Ben Menashe believes this formula could overcome the Israeli obstacle of refusing official Palestinian Authority entry into the Gaza Strip by creating a broadly accepted regional and international framework".

 

According to the report, Halila discussed the initiative in Amman, stating that it was initiated by Ben Menashe himself, who came from Canada to meet him and presented the idea, which he accepted. He stated that he has so far paid 130,000 USD to Ben Menashe's company to promote the initiative, under a contract valued at around 300,000 USD. He confirmed that money "has never been an issue".

 

According to the report: "Halila emphasizes that implementing the plan is conditioned on a permanent ceasefire and ending the war, stating: 'Only then can we talk about the day after'. He presents himself as a 'project manager' for the reconstruction of Gaza, with a plan that includes bringing in between 600 to 1,000 aid trucks daily, opening four to five free crossings for goods, and restoring security and order to the sector without the presence of 'remnants of Hamas or Jihad', as people need to feel safe in their homes.

 

According to the report: "The next phase in the Gaza reconstruction plan, according to Halila, requires pumping massive investments amounting to 53 billion USD. He affirms that Gulf countries are ready to contribute but believes that the United States and the European Union should also inject large sums. The documents submitted by Ben Menashe to the U.S. Department of Justice indicate that the plan includes deploying U.S. and Arab forces in the Gaza Strip, recognition by the United Nations of Gaza's special status, leasing land from Egypt to build an airport and seaport in Sinai, and obtaining drilling rights for gas off the coast of Gaza".

The report continues: In recent days, indications have emerged of Israel's readiness to discuss ending the war, not just a temporary ceasefire, in coordination with the United States. Halila relies on statements from Trump's envoy for the hostage issue, Steve Wietkoff, who affirmed that "the plan is not to expand the war, but to end it". He stated that the only solution is to end the war and return all hostages simultaneously. Despite the Israeli cabinet voting against the plan to fully occupy Gaza, maneuvers in Washington indicate the paving of the way for a new reality in the sector after the war, in which a figure like Halila could be in a leadership position.