Postwar civilian transitional rule may last up to a year, says Gaza's proposed governor

A Palestinian businessman being considered as the governor of Gaza said the strip must have a neutral, civilian government once the devastating war is over.

That civilian transitional rule could last up to a year, Samir Hulileh told The National.

"This is a transitional phase which might last for six months or a year and it’s not going to be long," he said.

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"The question of whether I can put the conditions in place to make this project succeed is something I'm working on."

The broader plan for Gaza, adopted by the Arab League during a summit in Cairo in March, is for Hamas to step aside and a technocratic committee to take over for six months. Mr Hulileh said the proposal for him to lead Gaza was first raised in July last year, during the US administration of president Joe Biden.

“They wanted someone who does not represent a specific party or interests, and has previous governance experience,” said Mr Hulileh, who was previously cabinet secretary of the Palestinian Authority and held roles in the Economy Ministry.

The now-retired official said his willingness to take on the role is based on his feeling of empathy towards the misery in Gaza and his inability to "remain quiet" over the unfolding situation.

More than 61,700 people have been killed by Israeli fire and hunger-related deaths due to Israel's siege reached 235 this week, including 106 children.

Most difficult part

Following a report by Israeli outlet Ynet on Mr Hulileh's potential role, the official Palestinian news agency Wafa said a governor has yet to be appointed.

"The only entity authorised to administer the Gaza Strip is the state of Palestine, represented by the government or its agreed-on administrative committee, headed by a government minister," Wafa reported, citing a source in the Palestinian Authority.

"They have been hiding for two years," Mr Hulileh said in response to the question of why he had been approached instead of the Palestinian government.

The main issues that stand in the way of a civilian government now are political and security-related, he said.

Conditions for him to implement his rule include a comprehensive ceasefire and the withdrawal of Israeli forces. The matter, currently being discussed in Egypt in co-operation with Qatar and the US, is being complicated by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reiterating plans to reoccupy Gaza and "allowing" Palestinians to leave the enclave.

The enclave has become uninhabitable, with the majority of it destroyed, while bodies remain unreachable by emergency and rescue crews, and tens of thousands of Palestinians need medical assistance.

Mr Hulileh said when the environment is ripe, the real work can begin and in the meantime he is looking at plans for the day-after scenario.

But that moment may be further delayed, with US President Donald Trump casting doubt on the prospect of any deal to end the war, saying he did not believe Hamas would release Israeli hostages unless the situation in Gaza changed.

Still, Mr Hulileh said he is prepared for the challenges ahead. "The beginning will be the most difficult part."

The first six months are likely to focus on providing the 2.2 million Palestinians of Gaza with sufficient food, water and shelter, he added, after more than 80 per cent of the strip has been destroyed, and Israeli shelling and starvation continue to claim lives every day.