A Responsible Source in the Presidency Denies Israeli Claims of Appointing a Palestinian Figure to Manage Gaza

SadaNews - A responsible source in the Palestinian presidency stated that the reports by some Israeli media about appointing a Palestinian figure to manage Gaza with the knowledge of the Palestinian leadership are incorrect.

The source added that the only entity authorized to manage Gaza is the State of Palestine, represented by the government or its agreed-upon administrative committee, headed by a minister in the government.

The presidential source emphasized that any dealings outside of this framework are considered a departure from the national line and align with the desires of the occupation, which aims to separate Gaza from the West Bank and displace its inhabitants, confirming that Gaza is an integral part of Palestinian land.

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

The Hebrew newspaper "Yedioth Ahronoth" revealed in a report translated by SadaNews that there have been secret movements over the past few months to install a new governor for Gaza as part of an international plan dubbed "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 within the Palestinian Authority and extensive business and political connections.

According to the report, "documents submitted to the U.S. Department of Justice and conversations conducted by the Guardian indicate that this initiative aims to appoint an internationally acceptable Palestinian figure who works under the auspices of the Arab League and has the approval of Israel and the United States."

It continued: "The initiative is led by Ari Ben Menashe, a controversial Israeli figure and former lobbyist, who currently works from Canada. Ben Menashe, who has been involved in international issues like 'Iran-Contra' and claims to have worked for Mossad, has registered himself as a lobbyist for Halila in the United States, aiming to influence U.S. 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."

The report from Yedioth Ahronoth, as translated by SadaNews, noted: "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 assuming the position of Deputy Minister of Economy and Trade, chaired the board of the Palestinian Economic Policy Research Institute, and was a board member of the Palestinian Trade Center and CEO of Padico Holdings, as well as chairman of the Palestine Exchange. Halila is considered close to businessman Bashar Al-Masri, the owner of the Rawabi City project, who is known for his close ties to the Trump administration."

Yedioth Ahronoth stated: "This move was launched last year at the end of Joe Biden's term as U.S. President, but it only gained momentum after Donald Trump entered the White House. Additional documents submitted to the U.S. Department of Justice last week indicated that Ben Menashe discussed the issue with officials in Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and Egypt, among other entities."

The paper added: "In a conversation with Ben Menashe, he stated that promoting this plan is not only commercially beneficial but also has personal significance for him, describing it as 'in the interest of the Jews.' He explained that the campaign is managed in coordination with prominent figures in the U.S. administration, aimed at enabling Halila to work under the umbrella of the Arab League, focusing on support from Egypt and Saudi Arabia. Ben Menashe believes that this formula could overcome the Israeli obstacle regarding the Palestinian Authority's official entry into Gaza by finding a broadly accepted regional and international framework."

According to the report, a discussion took place with Halila in Amman, during which he mentioned that the initiative was presented by Ben Menashe himself, who came from Canada to meet him and proposed the idea, which he accepted. He reported that he has paid $130,000 to Ben Menashe's firm to promote the initiative, as part of a contract totaling approximately $300,000. He confirmed that money "has never been a problem."

The report indicates: "Halila emphasizes that the implementation of the plan is conditional on a permanent ceasefire and the end of the war, stating, 'Only then can we talk about the next day.' He positions himself as a 'project manager' for the reconstruction of Gaza, with a plan that includes bringing in between 600 and 1,000 aid trucks daily, opening four to five free trade crossings, and reinstating security and order in the sector without the presence of 'remnants of Hamas or Jihad,' as the people need to feel safe in their homes."

According to the report: "The next phase in the Gaza reconstruction plan, according to Halila, requires massive investments of up to $53 billion. He asserts that Gulf countries are willing to contribute, but he sees that the United States and the European Union must also inject substantial amounts. Documents submitted by Ben Menashe to the U.S. Department of Justice indicate that the plan includes deploying American and Arab forces in Gaza, recognizing the special status of Gaza by the United Nations, leasing land from Egypt to build an airport and seaport in Sinai, and securing drilling rights for gas off the coast of Gaza."

The report continues: In recent days, there have been signs of Israel's willingness to discuss ending the war, and not just a temporary ceasefire, in coordination with the United States. Halila draws on statements from Trump's envoy for hostages, Steve Witkoff, who affirmed that "the plan is not to escalate the war, but to end it." He stated that the only solution is to end the war and return all hostages at once. Despite the Israeli cabinet voting against a plan for a full occupation of Gaza, moves in Washington indicate paving the way for a new reality in the sector after the war, where a figure like Halila could be in a leadership position."